Orioles Land Reliever Eduarniel Núñez from A’s in Cash Deal

The Baltimore Orioles added right-handed reliever Eduarniel Núñez from the Oakland Athletics in a deal announced Friday. In return, the A’s received cash considerations. To create 40-man roster space, the Orioles designated righty Christian Roa for assignment.

Núñez, 26, was part of a four-player trade package the A’s received from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Mason Miller and JP Sears. That deal included shortstop Leo De Vries, along with pitching prospects Braden Nett and Henry Baez. Núñez, the least heralded of the four, was the only one with MLB experience and was quickly moved into the A’s major league roster after the trade.

Núñez made a brief MLB debut with the Padres in 2025, pitching eight innings and allowing eight runs on nine hits, seven walks, and two hit batters. He struck out nine batters, but his punchouts accounted for just 23% of opposing batters faced, barely above the league average.

Since joining the A’s organization in 2025, Núñez has struggled with command. He has walked 11 of 67 batters faced (16.4%) and plunked two others (3%). Across 33 1/3 innings, he has thrown six wild pitches and allowed a walk rate of 19.3% via walks and hit batters.

Núñez also has experienced a significant velocity drop this season. His four-seamer has averaged 95 mph, down from 98.1 mph in 2025. His slider has also dropped from 88.5 mph to 87 mph. Despite these concerns, the Orioles can work with Núñez for two more seasons under his current minor league contract.

Christian Roa, 27, was designated for assignment to make room for Núñez. Roa has been DFA’d by the Astros and Twins this season and has struggled to establish himself in the majors. He has a 4.56 ERA in parts of four Triple-A seasons, with a 14% walk rate and 25.5% strikeout rate.

The Orioles have one week to trade Roa, place him on waivers, or release him. Núñez will report to Triple-A Norfolk and could see more time in the majors if he sharpens his command and velocity.