With excess of talent in 'pen, O's DFA Givens

SEATTLE -- Mychal Givens’ return to the Orioles didn’t go as he -- or the team -- had hoped after he rejoined the organization that drafted him this past offseason.

Givens, who had been on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation since June 1, was designated for assignment by Baltimore on Sunday. The O’s will have seven days to either trade the 33-year-old right-hander or place him on irrevocable outright waivers.

Often when a player is DFA’d, it’s to create a spot on the 40-man roster. However, Givens wasn’t taking up a spot on the 40-man because he was on the 60-day IL. Instead, this decision was about the logjam of talented relievers blocking Givens’ path back to the big league bullpen.

“This time of year, we’re trying to win every game we can right now,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We need guys that are durable, able … to win some games down the stretch. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out with Mike, but we have some other guys here that are throwing the ball extremely well, and we just want to finish the season strong.”

In December, the Orioles signed Givens to a $3 million deal for 2023, which also featured a $6 million mutual option for ‘24 and potential buyouts if either he or the club declined it. He didn’t make it to that point after posting an 11.25 ERA in six appearances for Baltimore this year and spending time on the IL from March 27 to May 20 (left knee inflammation) and from June 1 to Aug. 13 (right shoulder inflammation).

Givens, who was a shortstop when he was selected by the Orioles in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft, was converted into a pitcher in Baltimore’s Minor League ranks and reached the Majors in ‘15. He had a 3.32 ERA in 296 appearances for the O’s from 2015-20, before he was traded to the Rockies at the Aug. 30 Trade Deadline in ‘20.

It’s unclear what’s next for Givens, who has also previously pitched for the Reds (2021), Cubs (‘22) and Mets (‘22). But he had been struggling during his recent rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, allowing six runs in 1 1/3 innings between his appearances on Thursday and Saturday.

The Orioles thought Givens would be a reliable veteran arm who could positively impact their bullpen for the 2023 season. As it turns out, they haven’t needed him. Baltimore entered Sunday with a 3.64 relief ERA that ranked sixth in the Majors and fourth in the American League.

All-Star setup man Yennier Cano and high-leverage left-hander Danny Coulombe came from seemingly nowhere to become impactful relievers for the O’s this season, much like All-Star closer Félix Bautista did last year.

“That’s what you need,” Hyde said. “You need some breaks along the way, and you need some surprise stories.”

Givens’ second stint for Baltimore was a different type of surprise. And now, the two parties are set to again part ways.