BOSTON—The Orioles have acquired another reliever, right-hander Kyle Nicolas from the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for cash considerations. Nicolas has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
The 27-year-old, who had been designated for assignment by the Reds, was 1-0 with an 8.59 ERA in seven games.
In 93 games with Pittsburgh from 2023-2025 and Cincinnati, Nicolas is 4-4 with a 4.96 ERA. He’s struck out 103 and walked 66 in 105 1/3 innings.
To make room for Nicolas on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated right-hander Eduarniel Núñez for assignment. Núñez was purchased by the Orioles from the Athletics on May 15th. He had a 15.75 ERA in five games for Norfolk.
Bassitt’s back examined
Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, who allowed three runs in three innings in Wednesday night’s 8-1 loss to the Red Sox, has returned to Baltimore to have his back examined.
“He flew back to Baltimore this morning to see our team doctors and get a better [assessment] of where he’s at,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’ll hear more maybe tomorrow or this evening depending on how it goes.”
The 37-year-old right-hander declined to elaborate on his injury after the game.
“I’m not going to get into that,” he said. “Yeah, I’m dealing with my back.”
O’Neill struggling
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill fouled a ball off his back foot in his last at-bat. He’s fine, Albernaz said.
“If you’ve ever done that before, it doesn’t feel good,” Albernaz said.
O’Neill isn’t in the starting lineup against right-hander Brayan Bello. He’s batting .160 with two home runs and six RBIs.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Albernaz said. “It’s no secret that he’s searching right now. He’s not at his best. He’s pushing, he’s working. He’s putting in great work with our coaches.”
O’Neill is hitting just .102 (5-for-49) against left-handed pitchers
“The biggest thing is for him to have the singular focus on hitting left-handed pitching,” Albernaz said. “When you dominate your side of the platoon, that opens up the other areas for him.”
Albernaz continues to believe in O’Neill’s ability.
“When you have a track record like he does in the big leagues, it sometimes from his perspective, he seems a little further away than he actually is,” Albernaz said. “It’s him actually putting the work in, trusting the process. Hopefully here soon, everything starts clicking for him.”
Orioles-Red Sox lineups
Orioles
Taylor Ward-LF
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Adley Rutschman-DH
Pete Alonso-1B
Samuel Basallo-C
Leody Taveras-CF
Colton Cowser-RF
Coby Mayo-3B
Jackson Holliday-2B
Trevor Rogers-LHP
Red Sox
Jarren Duran-LF
Ceddanne Rafaela-CF
Wilyer Abreu-RF
Willson Contreras-1B
Isiah Kiner-Falefa-SS
Andruw Monasterio-2B
Caleb Durbin-3B
Carlos Narváez-C
Connor Wong-DH
Brayan Bello-RHP
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