Twins land All-Star closer Jorge Lopez in trade with Orioles

The Minnesota Twins will make their push for a playoff run with closer Jorge López after acquiring the 2022 All-Star from the Baltimore Orioles for a package of prospects, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Jeff Passan of ESPN.

López, 29, has a 1.68 ERA this season in 44 appearances and has recorded 19 saves in 23 opportunities. Prior to the 2022 season, López was a starter for the Orioles, but recorded a 3-14 record in 2021 with a 6.07 ERA before he was moved to the bullpen in August of last year.

"I just think he needs to try something different, a little bit," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said at the time, via MLB.com. "We're not closing the door on him from being in the rotation, but I'd like to see what it looks like coming out of the bullpen. ... This might take a little bit of pressure off of him."

The move paid off and Baltimore will reportedly receive pitching prospects Cade Povich and Yennier Canó, as well as other prospects in the deal.

Minnesota is one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central and has mostly relied on Emilio Pagán as closer. The 31-year-old veteran has nine saves this season in 15 opportunities.

The Orioles are 52-51 this season after rebounding from a 14-24 start to the year. Still, the team is fourth in the AL East and 2.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race. On Monday, Baltimore traded Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros.