TORONTO — The Orioles signed right-handed pitcher Julio Teheran to a minor league deal Tuesday, the team announced. Teheran, who spent spring training with the Orioles but opted out of his previous minor league deal when he didn’t make their opening day roster, was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
The 33-year-old is a two-time All-Star and 13-year veteran. He appeared in only one major league game from 2021 to 2022 but enjoyed a bounceback 2023 season with the Milwaukee Brewers, with whom he posted a 4.40 ERA in 14 games (11 starts).
In addition to the Orioles, Teheran has also signed with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs this season. He made one start for the Mets, allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings, before being designated for assignment. Teheran then signed a minor league deal with the Cubs and recorded an 8.82 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Iowa before opting out of his contract Saturday.
The Orioles are adding Teheran in the wake of starters John Means and Tyler Wells undergoing season-ending elbow surgeries. Baltimore has yet to announce its starter for Thursday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. Kyle Bradish would be on regular rest but manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that they’re considering “giving him an extra day or two.”
Teheran could be an option to start for the Orioles on Thursday. Pitching prospect Cade Povich, who has a 3.18 ERA in 11 starts with Triple-A Norfolk this season, is scheduled to start for the Tides on Thursday and could also be a candidate. The Orioles have one open spot on their 40-man roster.
Baltimore starters have a 3.09 ERA this season, third best in baseball. Their depth, however, has thinned with the losses of Means and Wells. The lone healthy starting pitcher on their 40-man roster outside of their current rotation is prospect Seth Johnson, who is pitching on workload restrictions in Double-A Bowie coming off Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.