The Orioles made a roster move before tonight’s series finale against the Rays, promoting right-hander Trey Gibson from the taxi squad to the active roster and optioning left-handed reliever Nick Raquet after one day to create space. Gibson is expected to make his third major league appearance and second start. Ranked by MLB Pipeline as Baltimore’s No. 4 prospect, Gibson has already shown flashes at the big-league level. In his debut at Yankee Stadium on May 3, he gave up three runs over 4 2/3 innings, then followed with one run allowed in two relief innings against the Athletics. The 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the organization has posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.674 WHIP across eight starts for Triple-A Norfolk. His last outing came seven days ago.
Baltimore enters the game having won four of its last five and will look to complete a sweep. The club’s rotation has shown improvement, lowering its ERA to 4.87, which still ranks 28th in the majors but now sits ahead of Houston’s 4.90. Recent performances have helped drive the turnaround. Shane Baz allowed one run in seven innings last night after Kyle Bradish limited Tampa Bay to one run in six. Baz owns a 2.25 ERA over his last three starts, while Bradish has recorded a 1.56 ERA in that same span. Brandon Young, pressed into the rotation because of injuries, has also provided stability with a 3.47 ERA in seven starts and only four earned runs allowed over his last 15 2/3 innings.
Manager Craig Albernaz praised the group’s rhythm, saying the starters are settling into a better cadence between outings and making small adjustments to delivery and pitch usage. He also pointed to the unit’s competitive personality and chemistry as factors that are carrying over into games. Catcher Samuel Basallo echoed that view after Baz’s outing, noting that the right-hander’s full pitch mix is working well and suggesting that earlier struggles may have helped him learn and improve.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, will try to stop a three-game losing streak, its third such skid of the season. The Rays also have to clean up defensively after committing seven errors over two games and 39 total on the year, the second most in the majors. Richie Palacios acknowledged the mistakes but urged the team not to overreact, saying the club simply needs to keep playing. The Rays have already dropped their first series since April 20-22.
On the mound for Tampa Bay is left-hander Steven Matz, who has a 3.70 ERA in eight starts. He returned from the injured list to face Baltimore last week and allowed one run in four innings. In 10 career games, including six starts, against the Orioles, Matz has a 3.76 ERA.
In a separate transaction note, Baltimore signed infielder Mason Dinesen to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Florida Complex League after his conversion to pitching, with reports that his fastball has reached 97 mph.
