Orioles Lose Veteran Depth as Tommy Pham, Weston Wilson Move On

The Baltimore Orioles lost two veteran depth pieces this week as outfielder Tommy Pham and utility player Weston Wilson moved on from the organization.

Pham opted out of his minor league contract and was granted his release Friday after Baltimore declined to add him to the major league roster. Wilson had already been designated for assignment earlier in the week when the Orioles selected catcher Sam Huff from Triple-A Norfolk.

Pham signed with Baltimore on May 16 to give the organization another experienced outfield bat. The 38-year-old never reached the Orioles, but he did provide some late production for Norfolk.

In 16 games with the Tides, Pham hit .197 with one double, four home runs, 11 RBIs and a .696 OPS. The overall numbers were not strong, but Pham had started to heat up before leaving the organization. He went 7-for-26 with three home runs over his final seven games, including a grand slam.

Baltimore brought Pham in after Dylan Beavers landed on the injured list with a right oblique strain. With Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, Leody Taveras and Taylor Ward on the active roster, and Beavers working toward a return, Pham did not have a clear path to Camden Yards.

Wilson’s exit came after a short stay with the Orioles. Baltimore claimed Wilson off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies in January, then later outrighted him to Norfolk before selecting his contract in April.

Wilson played 19 games for the Orioles and hit .231 with a .348 on-base percentage, .333 slugging percentage, one home run, three RBIs, six runs, nine hits, six walks and 11 strikeouts in 46 plate appearances.

The Orioles designated Wilson for assignment June 6 when Huff was added as catching insurance after Samuel Basallo left a game with abdominal discomfort. Wilson’s defensive versatility gave Baltimore coverage around the diamond, but the roster crunch pushed him out.

Neither move changes the Orioles’ core, but both moves show how quickly Baltimore’s depth chart keeps shifting. Pham gave Norfolk a veteran bat for a few weeks. Wilson gave the Orioles a right-handed utility option. Now both players will look for their next opportunity elsewhere while Baltimore continues to churn the back end of the roster.