According to multiple industry sources, the Baltimore Orioles have made a trade to acquire right-hander Jackson Kowar from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations.
Kowar, 29, most recently surfaced in waiver news after being designated for assignment by the Twins earlier this week, following their acquisition of left-hander Anthony Banda.
A supplemental first-round pick (33rd overall) out of the University of Florida in the 2018 MLB Draft, Kowar debuted with the Kansas City Royals in 2021 and was traded twice — once to the Atlanta Braves and then to the Seattle Mariners — before injuries stalled his progression.
Over parts of four big-league seasons with Kansas City and Seattle, Kowar has appeared in 54 games and posted a 4–6 record with an 8.21 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched at the MLB level.
The 2025 season marked a comeback of sorts for Kowar. Following Tommy John surgery that wiped out his entire 2024 campaign, Kowar returned to the mound with the Mariners last year, making 15 relief appearances with a 2–0 record, a 4.24 ERA, 15 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP across 17 innings before a right shoulder impingement ended his season in August.
Scouting reports have consistently praised the potential in Kowar’s arm — a 6-foot-5 frame with a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid-90s and has touched 97 mph — and his changeup has drawn flashes of upside.
However, command issues and injuries have been persistent hurdles. In Triple-A during his time with Seattle’s organization, he showed promising results, including a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings, though control was again a theme with 10 walks to 15 strikeouts.
Kowar will be one of several arms competing for a bullpen spot in O’s camp this spring. The University of Florida product will have every opportunity to break camp with the big-league club, and it is worth noting that he is out of minor-league options.
In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have placed right-hander Colin Selby on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
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