Orioles recall Trey Gibson for Rays finale sweep

Orioles recall – Trey Gibson is back on the Orioles active roster for tonight’s series finale against the Rays after being moved from the taxi squad. The call-up comes as Baltimore chases a sweep, while Tampa Bay heads into the game on a three-game skid and with defense issues

For the third time, Trey Gibson gets a real crack at the majors—starting tonight.

The Orioles have moved right-hander Trey Gibson from the taxi squad to the active roster for tonight’s series finale against the Rays. Left-handed reliever Nick Raquet was optioned after one day to make room for Gibson, who’s set to make his third major league appearance and second start.

Baltimore has reasons to feel good about this moment. The Orioles have won four of their last five games and will go for the sweep tonight. Even the rotation’s steadiness is trending the right way: the rotation’s ERA has improved to 4.87. ranked 28th in the majors. and the Orioles have moved ahead of the Astros. who sit at 4.90.

The decision also ties to what Gibson has shown in the minors. MLB Pipeline ranks Gibson as the No. 4 prospect in the system. In his debut at Yankee Stadium on May 3, he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He then allowed one run in two relief innings against the Athletics.

This time, he arrives with Triple-A Norfolk numbers that give the club confidence. Gibson has registered a 3.69 ERA and 1.674 WHIP in eight starts, and his last appearance was seven days ago.

The Orioles have watched their starting group sharpen into a rhythm. Shane Baz allowed one run in seven innings last night after Kyle Bradish held the Rays to one run in six. Baz has posted a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts, and Bradish’s ERA is 1.56 in that same stretch. Brandon Young—inserted into the rotation due to injuries—has a 3.47 ERA in seven starts. and he’s allowed only four earned runs in his last three appearances over 15 2/3 innings.

Manager Craig Albernaz framed it as both process and competition. “I think they’re getting into a groove,” Albernaz said. “I think they’re in a good cadence of their work and their process. as far as in between starts. making little tweaks that they need to. whether that be delivery or pitch usage. And also with the starting pitching group. they’re a tight-knit group and they also like to talk crap and compete. too. So that competitive nature kind of filters over to the game.

“I’m not saying they want to one-up (each other), but when you see KB go out there and do what he does, then now it’s time for Baz to kind of step and do it. It’s been fun to watch.”

Basallo. asked about Baz after last night’s game. backed that idea with a different kind of emphasis: learning and correction. Samuel Basallo said via interpreter Brandon Quinones, “Shane is a tremendous pitcher. We see that all his pitches work really well. Obviously. he didn’t get off to the start that we wanted him to early in the season. but sometimes from those bad outings you learn a lot as well. So hopefully. I think what we’re seeing is that Shane learned from those bad outings and I think right now we’re seeing the pitcher that we all know Shane can be and hopefully he’ll keep this going.”.

On the other side, Tampa Bay is coming in with pressure already building. The Rays are led by left-hander Steven Matz, who has a 3.70 ERA in eight starts. Matz came off the injured list to face the Orioles last week at Tropicana Field and allowed one run in four innings. He owns a 3.76 ERA in 10 career games (six starts) against the Orioles. Pete Alonso has gone 3-for-8 with a home run against him.

Still, the bigger issue for Tampa Bay is what’s happening in the field and on the scoreboard. The Rays have lost three in a row for the third time this season. They need to tighten up a defense that’s committed seven errors in two games and 39 this season, second most in the majors.

Richie Palacios admitted the problem in plain terms after botching a double play grounder. “We’re human. We’re gonna make errors,” Palacios told the media after he botched a double play grounder. “Don’t try to overcompensate. … Just continue to play the game. We’ll be all right.”

Tampa Bay has already lost its first series since April 20-22, and tonight’s finale could decide whether this trip ends with a clean Orioles finish or a quick correction by the Rays.

In the middle of all of it, the Orioles are leaning into a chance to keep rolling—and Gibson is the key piece they’ve slotted into place.

Note: According to the transactions page. the Orioles signed shortstop Mason Dinesen. 27. to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Florida Complex League. Dinesen played independent ball in 2022-25, but also appeared in 79 games in the White Sox system in 2024-25. He hit .240/.272/.342 in the minors and also tossed 4 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings with one walk and six strikeouts. Tread Athletics posted on Instagram that Dinesen converted to pitcher and his fastball is up to 97 mph after only two months at the facility.

Orioles Trey Gibson Rays Nick Raquet series finale Shane Baz Kyle Bradish Brandon Young Steven Matz Samuel Basallo Richie Palacios Mason Dinesen