Orioles acquire Cam Sanders from Pirates

The Orioles have traded for right-hander Cam Sanders, the team announced. The Pirates designated Sanders for assignment last week. Pittsburgh will receive cash in the deal. Baltimore moved lefty Keegan Akin to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot. Sanders was optioned to Triple-A.

Sanders was bumped off the roster after the Pirates traded for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and reliever Brandon Eisert from the White Sox. He’d been up and down with the big-league club several times this season. Sanders was tagged for nine earned runs in nine appearances with Pittsburgh this year.

The Pirates added Sanders on a minor league deal last year after he’d spent his entire pro career in the Cubs’ system. He debuted with the club near the end of the season and posted an 8.10 ERA over 6 2/3 innings. The righty had more walks (5) than strikeouts (4) in his first stint in the big leagues. He’s improved the strikeout numbers this season, punching out opponents at a solid 27.1% clip. The issue is that his walk rate has spiked to 20.8%. Sanders had some solid strikeout seasons in the minors, but control was a persistent problem.

The 29-year-old Sanders leaned on a fastball/slider combo with the Pirates. He mixed in a changeup to lefties. The righty ditched his sweeper this year and added a sinker. Sanders’ four-seamer and slider both had whiff rates above 40% in his limited MLB time this year, so the Orioles have something to work with. The key will be getting those pitches in the strike zone more often.

Akin has been sidelined since late June with a UCL injury. He’s slated for a visit with Dr. Keith Meister this week. Akin seems to be headed toward an extended absence. The veteran lefty has been a regular on Baltimore’s staff since his 2020 debut. He’s been relied on in high-leverage situations in recent seasons, including as the closer last year, when he tallied a career-best eight saves.