Jorge López ‘really pumped’ to rejoin Orioles; Aaron Hicks returns, Austin Voth DFA’d, Colton Cowser optioned

Jorge López was the Orioles’ closer when they started to emerge as a contender last spring, but he wasn’t able to enjoy the post-rebuild world with Baltimore after his trade to the Minnesota Twins at the deadline.

That is, until now.

López rejoined the Orioles on Sunday after the club claimed him off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

López joins a bullpen in need of high-leverage arms, and he could use a change of scenery after struggling with the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins this season. The right-hander saved 19 games with a 1.68 ERA before the Orioles traded him to the Twins last August.

López said the 2023 season has been a “roller coaster” but that he’s “really pumped” to be back with the team he pitched better for last season than at any point in his eight-year career.

“It’s a new opportunity,” he said. “I’m really glad and grateful to get this job. I’m most excited to go to a team where I [had] success, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

López’s activation came amid a series of roster moves before Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Reliever Austin Voth was designated for assignment to make room for López on the 28-man roster.

López first joined the organization as a waiver claim three years ago. He was an ineffective starting pitcher for the Orioles in 2020 and 2021. In 121 2/3 innings in 2021, he went 3-14 with a 6.07 ERA.

But he was one of MLB’s best relievers in the first half of 2022 to earn an All-Star Game nomination. Not including his excellent four months with Baltimore last year, López has a career 5.96 ERA.

“I became a new guy when I got here,” he said. “I let myself be open to the biomechanics, sequence pitches. I changed everything, and to be back … I feel like they can help me get through these last couple months really strong.”

Manager Brandon Hyde said he hopes López’s familiarity with the organization — and it with him — will allow the 30-year-old to adjust quickly and get back to the type of pitcher he was with the Orioles last year. López pitched to a 5.56 ERA with the Twins and Marlins since he was traded last year.

“We really believe in his stuff,” Hyde said. “For me, he was one of the most dominating relievers that first half last year with what he did. Only had a couple tough appearances in that half. … He seems really excited to be here this morning. Hopefully he can help us this last month.”

If he does return to form with Baltimore, though, he isn’t eligible to pitch in the postseason because he was not in the organization before Sept. 1.

Nevertheless, López is just happy to be back with a team he braved the rebuild with but didn’t get to enjoy the other side of until now.

“From two years losing 100 games to now last year getting better and this year much, much better, to be back I’m really excited and grateful to be here again,” he said.

The “unfortunate part” of the López move, Hyde said, is losing Voth, who has largely struggled as a reliever this season after excelling as a starter last year. After he was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals last year, he posted a 3.04 ERA with the Orioles in 2022. But in 34 2/3 relief innings this year, Voth has a 5.19 ERA. He spent most of the summer on the injured list with elbow discomfort he’s dealt with since spring training. The 31-year-old was out of minor league options.

“Austin’s done a lot of good things for us here the last couple years,” Hyde said. “We feel like this move’s important to improve our bullpen. Hopefully he stays in the organization, but to say goodbye to somebody who’s done a lot of really good things for you, it’s never easy.”

Voth is the second reliever to be designated for assignment in as many days after right-hander Logan Gillaspie was on Saturday to make room for López. Baltimore has an open spot on its 40-man roster.

Hicks reinstated off IL, Cowser optioned

Outfielder Aaron Hicks was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Sunday after recovering from a lower back injury, and outfield prospect Colton Cowser was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after spending just two days back in the majors.

Hicks’ return from the IL is his second in the past month, as the 11-year veteran has missed time with strains of his left hamstring and lower back. The 33-year-old hit .261 with a .795 OPS after signing with Baltimore in late May following his release by the New York Yankees. He’s played just one big league game since July 25.

“To be able to give guys a break with a quality major league player out there is important right now,” Hyde said of Hicks. “He feels good, and he’s ready to go.”

Cowser rejoined the Orioles’ big league roster on Friday as rosters expanded from 26 to 28. But the sport’s No. 11 prospect, according to Baseball America, could spend the rest of the 2023 season in Triple-A after struggling at the plate in limited playing time in the majors. The 23-year-old hit .115 with a .433 OPS in 77 plate appearances across the 36 games during which he was on the Orioles’ roster.

Around the horn

• Hyde said the Orioles are still waiting for the “inflammation to go down” in closer Félix Bautista’s elbow before making a determination about how to handle the injury to his ulnar collateral ligament. Bautista was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 26. “We’re letting the inflammation die down, and then we’re going to make some decisions after that,” Hyde said.
• John Means will make his sixth and final minor league rehabilitation start this week for Triple-A Norfolk, Hyde said. The left-hander’s rehab assignment cannot extend past Friday. The team has not declared whether its former No. 1 starter will return to the rotation or pitch out of the bullpen.

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