The Baltimore Orioles have claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers and designated right-handed pitcher Jose Espada for assignment to free up space on the 40-man roster. Siani was immediately optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
Siani was designated for assignment by the Dodgers last week after they acquired outfielder Alek Thomas in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 26-year-old spent the 2026 season with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, slashing .225/.355/.303 in 107 plate appearances. His walk rate was strong at 15.9% but was offset by a 28% strikeout rate, and he has yet to hit a home run this season.
A fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018, Siani has bounced between teams in a series of DFA and waiver claims, spending time with the Cardinals, Braves, Yankees and back to the Dodgers. He made his major league debut with the Reds in 2022 and was claimed by the Cardinals in September 2023. He saw a career-high 334 plate appearances with St. Louis in 2024 as a defensive-minded fourth outfielder.
Over parts of four major league seasons, Siani has posted a .221/.277/.270 batting line (58 wRC+), but he has earned positive defensive grades. He ranks with 16 Outs Above Average and 7 Defensive Runs Saved in 1,014 innings in the outfield. He has also stolen 21 bases in 26 attempts, a success rate of 81%.
The Orioles’ outfield has been hit by injuries. Dylan Beavers is sidelined with an oblique strain, and Heston Kjerstad is on the 60-day injured list with a hamstring issue. Siani adds depth to a group that has seen strong production from Taylor Ward and Leody Taveras but has struggled with Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill, the latter of whom signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal before the 2025 season.
Jose Espada, 29, is the cousin of Houston Astros manager Joe Espada. He has pitched a total of five innings for the Orioles, with four of them coming in 2025. Espada has a 4.57 ERA and a 27.5% strikeout rate in parts of three Triple-A seasons but has also walked 15.5% of batters faced. He has not been outrighted before and will not be eligible for free agency if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
The Orioles have five days to trade Espada or place him on outright waivers. A decision is expected within the next week.
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