The Baltimore Orioles have officially reclaimed infielder Bryan Ramos from the St. Louis Cardinals via a waiver claim, as confirmed earlier today. The move comes amid mounting injuries within Baltimore’s infield, forcing the team to bolster their roster depth. To accommodate Ramos on the 40-man roster, the Orioles transferred pitcher Félix Bautista to the 60-day injured list, given Bautista’s expected extended absence this season.
Background of Ramos’s Movement Between Teams This Season
This transaction marks the second time this month that the Orioles have reacquired Ramos. Initially, Baltimore secured Ramos from the Chicago White Sox on February 1st by sending cash considerations. Shortly after, they attempted to move him through waivers, but the Cardinals claimed Ramos. After the Cardinals recently designated him for assignment due to their own roster moves, Baltimore quickly reclaimed Ramos again.
While it may seem unconventional for a team to claim a player only to place him on waivers days later, the Orioles’ aggressive roster management strategy involves utilizing waivers to retain players as non-roster depth. Because the 60-day injured list is unavailable from a brief period after the World Series until spring training begins, Baltimore took a chance on Ramos before additional roster spots became available.
Impact of Injuries on Orioles’ Infield Depth
When Ramos was first added to Baltimore’s roster, opportunities for his playing time appeared limited. His primary position is third base, although he has experience across second base, first base, and left field. The Orioles had planned a starting infield featuring Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, and Pete Alonso, supplemented by various corner outfielders and newly acquired infield depth Blaze Alexander.
However, the start of spring training introduced significant setbacks. Jackson Holliday sustained a hamate bone fracture that will keep him on the injured list at season’s start. Additionally, Jordan Westburg is dealing with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. While Westburg is initially avoiding surgery, his time sidelined remains uncertain, and he could eventually require an operation.
These injuries have left Baltimore’s infield situation uncertain. Coby Mayo is likely to fill in at third base during Holliday’s absence, although his defensive performance there has previously pushed him to spend more time at first base. The versatile Blaze Alexander may shift from a bench role to the regular second baseman spot while Westburg recovers.
Ramos’s Role and Prospects Amid the Orioles’ Roster Challenges
With limited options left, Bryan Ramos offers a potential additional infield option off the bench as Baltimore navigates these early-season setbacks. The team still has alternatives to enhance the roster in the future and could reconsider placing Ramos on waivers again if reinforcements arrive. For now, he occupies a spot among the Orioles’ major league bench competitors alongside players like Jeremiah Jackson, as well as non-roster invitees Jose Barrero and Luis Vázquez.
Ramos’s journey as a prospect was more promising during his time with the White Sox organization, posting a .265/.346/.453 slash line over the 2022 and 2023 minor league seasons with a 116 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), climbing as high as Double-A. However, his performance has declined steadily. In recent Triple-A stints, he hit .228/.314/.392 with an 82 wRC+, while his major league numbers have been noticeably weaker, recording a .198/.244/.333 line in plate appearances.
Long-Term Considerations for the Orioles and Ramos
Having exhausted his minor league options, Ramos now finds himself on the roster bubble due to diminished production. Yet if he can find a consistent role within Baltimore’s injury-impacted infield, the Orioles will maintain control of his contract for six full seasons before he becomes a free agent. This provides them with some roster flexibility and potential depth while monitoring his development amid the team’s ongoing adjustments.
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired 3B Bryan Ramos from the Cardinals, per sources.
Ramos was previously traded from the White Sox to Baltimore, later designated for assignment by the Orioles and claimed by the Cardinals. Now, he returns to the Orioles once again.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) February 20, 2026
This is a waiver claim, source said
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) February 20, 2026
