With less than an hour remaining before the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, the Baltimore Orioles have made another significant move.
The Orioles have traded right-hander Tyler Wells to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Michael Forret.
Originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Wells was chosen by the Orioles in the second round of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.
Over six seasons in Baltimore, Wells filled multiple roles, transitioning from a reliable reliever to a member of the starting rotation. He appeared in 142 games, including 50 starts, posting a 20-21 record with a 3.79 ERA.
Across 370.1 innings, Wells recorded 13 holds, converted nine of his 12 save opportunities, walked just 92 batters and struck out 342.
This season, Wells became an integral part of the Orioles’ bullpen after closer Ryan Helsley landed on the injured list. The right-hander has posted a career-best 2.67 ERA in 43 appearances while recording a career-high 11 holds.
He also converted all four of his save opportunities, walked just 13 batters, struck out 53 and has held opponents to a .202 batting average.
In return, the Orioles re-acquired a familiar face in Michael Forret. Baltimore originally selected Forret in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, and he climbed as high as the organization’s No. 8 prospect before being traded to the Rays last December in the deal that brought Shane Baz to Baltimore.
This season, Forret has posted a 3.29 ERA in 19 starts between Double-A and Triple-A. Across 93 innings, he has walked 40 batters and struck out 102. Just a year ago, he recorded a dominant 1.58 ERA between High-A and Double-A, showcasing the upside that made him one of the Orioles’ top pitching prospects.
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