USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles, already owners of the second-best record in the American League, are set to get even stronger.

The O's are activating late-inning reliever Mychal Givens from the injured list and he'll be ready to make his season debut on Sunday if his name is called.

He had been out the whole season with knee inflammation. 

Givens will join an already strong O's back-end that features Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano. 

This will be the second tour for Givens in Baltimore, as he spent the first 5.5 years of his career in the Charm City. 

He's been well-traveled since leaving Baltimore in 2020, also pitching for the Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets.

Lifetime, he's got a 32-23 record to go along with a 3.40 ERA. He's added 31 career saves.

In a corresponding move, the team optioned Cole Irvin to Triple-A. Irvin opened the season in the Orioles rotation but struggled mightily, so he's spent most of the season in the minor leagues.

The Orioles will wrap up a series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1:37 p.m. ET. Dean Kremer will pitch for Baltimore against former Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman.

Current American League East standings:

1) Tampa Bay Rays, 34-13, winners of two straight...

2) Baltimore Orioles, 30-16, winners of two straight

3) New York Yankees, 28-20, winners of three straight

4) Boston Red Sox, 26-20, winners of four straight

5) Toronto Blue Jays, 25-21, losers of three straight

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