The Baltimore Orioles have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman, promoting him back to the major league roster after a strong showing in Triple-A Norfolk. To make room, the team optioned right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo to Norfolk, utilizing their already open spot on the 40-man roster. Additionally, the Orioles announced that infielder and outfielder Terrin Vavra, who was recently designated for assignment, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
Bowman’s Journey This Season
At 33 years old, Bowman is now making his second stint with Baltimore this season after being designated for assignment earlier in the month and subsequently sent down to Triple-A Norfolk. In his brief time there, Bowman delivered an impressive 4 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out four and walking two, which earned him a quick return to the big leagues. In the 2025 season so far, he has appeared in 16 games for the Orioles, pitching 17 1/3 innings with a 5.19 ERA. While his 15.2% strikeout rate falls below the league average by nearly seven percentage points, his exceptional 3.8% walk rate is about five points better than average, highlighting his control on the mound.
A Veteran Pitcher with Experience Across MLB Teams
Bowman is playing for his seventh major league team in seven seasons, illustrating a journeyman career path. Originally drafted in the 12th round, Bowman’s MLB career began with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016. Since then, he has also played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamondbacks before rejoining the Orioles. Over 233 1/3 major league innings, Bowman holds a 4.24 ERA with an 18.7% strikeout rate, an 8% walk rate, and a ground-ball rate of 52.9%.
Terrin Vavra’s Continued Commitment to Orioles
Infielder and outfielder Terrin Vavra remains a valued member of the Orioles organization. The 28-year-old, son of former Twins and Tigers coach Joe Vavra, was a third-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2018 out of the University of Minnesota. He was traded to Baltimore in the 2020 Mychal Givens deal and has spent most of the past several years with the Orioles’ system. Vavra has major league experience from 2022 and 2023 and has shown loyalty by accepting multiple outright assignments and signing several minor league contracts with Baltimore.
In the majors, Vavra has posted a .254 batting average with a .331 on-base percentage and .303 slugging percentage over 159 plate appearances. In Triple-A, across parts of four seasons and 583 plate appearances, he has hit .287 with a .383 on-base percentage and a .418 slugging percentage, underscoring his continued potential as a contributor.
Implications for the Orioles’ Roster and Season
Matt Bowman’s return to Baltimore provides the Orioles with additional pitching depth and experience at the major league level, which could be valuable in managing the pitching staff throughout the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Terrin Vavra’s acceptance of a Triple-A assignment reflects his ongoing dedication to the Orioles’ organization, offering them a versatile player who knows their system well. The roster moves, including optioning Yaramil Hiraldo and re-signing key contributors like Bowman and Vavra, show the Orioles’ strategic efforts to balance development and performance as the season progresses.