Orioles Activate Alex Hoppe, Option Anthony Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
The Baltimore Orioles continued reshaping their pitching staff Wednesday, activating newly acquired right-handed reliever Alex Hoppe and optioning rookie right-hander Anthony Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk.
Hoppe will wear No. 26 for Baltimore. The Orioles acquired the 27-year-old Monday from the Seattle Mariners along with minor league pitchers Brock Moore and Harrison Kreiling in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward.
The roster move gives Baltimore an immediate opportunity to evaluate one of the major league-ready pitchers acquired during its active trade deadline.
Hoppe Joins Orioles Bullpen
Hoppe made his major league debut with Seattle on April 27 and appeared in 24 games for the Mariners before the trade. He went 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA, allowing 18 earned runs across 28 innings while recording 34 strikeouts and 11 walks.
While the major league results were inconsistent, Hoppe performed well during his time with Triple-A Tacoma. He posted a 2.65 ERA over 17 innings in 15 appearances, striking out 20 batters.
Hoppe stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds. The Boston Red Sox originally selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of UNC Greensboro. Boston traded him to Seattle in November 2025 for minor league catcher Luke Heyman.
The Orioles placed Hoppe directly into their bullpen rather than sending him to Norfolk, indicating that the organization wants to see how his arm translates in a regular major league role during the final portion of the season.
Hoppe has shown the ability to miss bats, averaging more than a strikeout per inning during his professional career. He has recorded 219 strikeouts over 189⅔ minor league innings, although his career 1.58 WHIP shows that command and traffic on the bases have remained concerns.
Baltimore’s pitching development staff will now attempt to help Hoppe convert those strikeout totals into more consistent results.
Nunez Returns to Norfolk
Nunez heads back to Norfolk after emerging as one of Baltimore’s more unexpected contributors this season.
The 25-year-old made the Orioles’ Opening Day roster and debuted March 28 against the Minnesota Twins. Nunez threw two scoreless innings in his debut, allowing no hits while striking out three.
He has appeared in 40 major league games this season, going 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA, three saves and 46 strikeouts. He has posted a 1.33 WHIP while working primarily in middle relief.
Baltimore previously optioned Nunez to Norfolk in June before recalling him July 3. Wednesday’s move represents his second option to Triple-A during the season.
Nunez’s path to the majors has been unusual. The San Diego Padres selected him as an infielder in the 29th round of the 2019 draft before he eventually converted to pitching. His fastball has reached the upper 90s, including a 97.1 mph four-seamer recorded during a May appearance against Tampa Bay.
The option should allow Nunez to continue developing in a more controlled environment while remaining a likely candidate for another promotion later in the season. He remains on Baltimore’s 40-man roster.
Orioles Continue Evaluating New Arms
The Orioles entered Wednesday following a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. Cade Povich delivered six scoreless innings, while Yennier Cano recorded the save after Baltimore’s bullpen protected the late lead.
Hoppe now joins a relief group that includes Cano, Keegan Akin, Andrew Kittredge, Grant Wolfram and other pitchers competing for defined roles.
Baltimore’s decision to activate Hoppe immediately makes sense following the trade deadline. Unlike Moore and Kreiling, who remain developmental prospects, Hoppe already has major league experience and occupies a spot on the 40-man roster.
The remaining weeks give the Orioles a chance to determine whether Hoppe can become part of their bullpen beyond this season. His strikeout ability and Triple-A success provide reasons for optimism, but he must limit walks and avoid the difficult innings that pushed his Seattle ERA close to six.
MSB Take
This move is more about evaluation than performance.
Nunez has shown enough during his rookie season to remain part of the Orioles’ pitching conversation, but Baltimore needs to examine Hoppe after making him the major league piece of the Ward trade.
Hoppe will receive a legitimate opportunity to prove that his 5.79 ERA with Seattle does not tell the entire story. His 34 strikeouts in 28 innings and strong Triple-A numbers suggest there is a useful reliever present if the Orioles can improve his command and consistency.
Nunez should not be viewed as falling out of the organization’s plans. He has handled a significant workload during his first major league season and remains a valuable depth option with a powerful arm.
For the Orioles, the rest of the season must be used to identify pitchers who can contribute to the next competitive bullpen. Hoppe becomes the latest candidate to receive that opportunity.
