Baltimore Orioles officially make latest roster move

The Baltimore Orioles made another roster adjustment Tuesday in hopes of building momentum for the second half of the season. Ahead of their game against the Cleveland Guardians, the team called up outfielder from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room on the roster, infielder Luis Vázquez was optioned. The move was first reported by Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun via X (formerly Twitter):

“The Orioles have recalled outfielder Dylan Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Luis Vázquez ahead of tonight’s game against the Guardians.”

This decision comes at a pivotal point for the Orioles, who currently sit at the bottom of the AL East with a 44–55 record, trailing the division-leading Blue Jays by 14.5 games. Seeking more consistency and offensive firepower, Baltimore’s front office is clearly still trying to spark a turnaround.

 

 

Carlson, 26, has already played in 41 games for the Orioles this season, hitting .234 with a .650 OPS, four home runs, and limited production. However, a recent hot streak at Norfolk — highlighted by improved plate discipline and renewed power — earned him another shot at the big league level.

This promotion reflects Baltimore’s continued focus on performance-based decisions and internal development. Demoting Vázquez also signals a renewed emphasis on outfield depth, with the team needing immediate contributions to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. At the time of Tuesday’s move, the Orioles trailed Cleveland 5–3 in the seventh inning.

Carlson’s return is as much about timing as it is about stats. After opening the season 11–18, Baltimore has gone 28–22 in its last 50 games — signs of progress, but not enough to climb out of the cellar. If Carlson can bring the energy and production he’s shown in Triple-A, he may become a valuable asset during this critical stretch. The Orioles are betting on potential, urgency, and a player hungry to prove himself.