O's add to pitching depth by claiming L¨®pez

The Orioles addressed their starting pitching depth Sunday by claiming swingman Jorge López off waivers from the Royals, adding the right-hander to the 60-man player pool.

A veteran of parts of five MLB seasons with the Brewers and Royals, L¨®pez pitched to a 6.33 ERA in 123 2/3 innings across 39 appearances (18 starts) in 2019. He was designated for assignment after appearing in one game this season, surrendering two runs in two-thirds of an inning.

A former second-round Draft pick of the Brewers in 2011, L¨®pez was a part of Milwaukee¡¯s '18 trade with Kansas City for Mike Moustakas. He nearly threw a perfect game that September, but he struggled to find results over parts of the next three seasons with Kansas City.

All told, L¨®pez went 6-13 with a 6.42 ERA across 47 appearances (25 starts) with the Royals. With the move, the Orioles¡¯ 60-man player pool and 40-man roster are now full.

With Baltimore, L¨®pez profiles as swingman depth for a club playing without staff ace John Means (bereavement list), and which has also lost other depth options in Kohl Stewart (opt out), Ty Blach (Tommy John surgery) and Hector Vel¨¢zquez (trade) in recent weeks.

The Orioles had not added L¨®pez to their 28-man active roster as of Sunday afternoon; until they do, he¡¯ll be assigned to their alternate training site in Bowie, Md.