Orioles MiLB Transactions Update: April 7

Samuel Basallo hits IL while Collin Burns retires

*Cover Photo Credit: Grant DeVivo

Minor League rosters have been finalized, and the Orioles' developmental organization has been busy with roster moves and finishing touches.

Let's take a look at what has been happening down on the farm.

Injured List

The following players have been placed on the Injured List by their respective teams.

• Tides: RHP Justin Armbruester (7-Day), C Samuel Basallo (7-Day)

• Baysox: LHP Jakob Hernandez (Full Season), RHP Logan Rinehart (Full Season), OF Reed Trimble (7-Day)

• Ironbirds: LHP Luis De Leon (7-Day) RHP Grabiel Salazar (7-Day), LHP Luis Sanchez (60-Day), RHP Reese Sharpe (7-Day)

• Shorebirds: RHP Eddy Alberto (60-Day), RHP Brayner Sanchez (Full Season), C Colin Tuft (7-Day)

Basallo is the most notable transaction here. The Orioles' top prospect suffered a hamstring injury last week while on the road at the Charlotte Knights according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun. This is obviously an annoying setback for the young and rising backstop who is poised for a big season that could potentially include a big league promotion. Now, he will miss some time as he heals up. There are no further details on how much time he will miss or if he will need a rehab assignment or not.

No reasons have been given for the other injuries. Best wishes to everyone in their recoveries!

Welcome Back, Juan!

Last week, the San Diego Padres announced that right-handed starter Juan Nunez was returned to the Baltimore Orioles after not making their Opening Day roster as their Rule 5 pick.

He has been assigned to Double-A Chesapeake to begin the season.

Nunez, 24, was the Padres' Rule 5 pick back in December. His 2024 season was cut short due to injuries, but it was impressive enough to where the Padres took a shot on him. He posted a 2.45 ERA in 29.1 innings for the Aberdeen Ironbirds. He paired that with an impressive 1.091 WHIP, 38 strikeouts, and just 10 walks. The righty appeared in four Spring Training games for the Padres this year, going five total innings and allowing just two earned runs while K'ing five batters.

He has never pitched above High-A, which is most likely why the Padres return Nunez to the Orioles. Coming back to Birdland will allow Nunez the appropriate time to develop and grow as a pitcher without being thrusted right into big league action.

Nunez re-enters the Orioles' top prospect charts on MLB Pipeline. He sits at Number 20.

Assignment

The Norfolk Tides have assigned outfielder Hudson Haskin to Double-A Chesapeake. He had initially started the season on their Development List, but will now see playing time with the Baysox.

Hudson Haskin has been assigned to the Baysox. Photo: Kate Kirsch, Norfolk Tides

This is an unfortunate development for the former second rounder out of Tulane University. The right-handed hitter was once in the mix of talented outfielders competing for the Orioles' outfield roster. Ranked as high as No. 15 on the Orioles' prospect charts in 2023, he posted OPS's of .821 and .836 in 2022 and 2023 respectively while slugging .455 in 2022 with 15 home runs.

As injuries have continued to plague his development, Haskin may now seem far out of the picture for the Orioles' big league roster. In an injury-plagued 2024 season, he hit just .212 in 101 games with a .652 OPS.

Still, nothing is ever impossible. The Tides hope to get him extra reps and caught back up to speed with the Baysox. Nonetheless, it has been a frustrating chain of events for a talented player who has tons to offer in the game. Sometimes, this is how the game goes, and Haskin will look to persevere through all of this in hopes of one day still getting that call from the Orioles. He is certainly capable of the chance.

Retired

Last Friday, the Chesapeake Baysox announced on their transaction portal that infielder Collin Burns retired. He was most likely set to be in the team's infield mix this season, but he will now instead pursue other opportunities.

Collin Burns with the Baysox last season. Photo: John Topoleski

The 24-year-old Louisiana native was the Orioles' 6th round pick in 2021 out of Tulane University. In 24 games that same year split between Delmarva and the Florida Coast League, he hit a solid .305 with a .739 OPS.

Over the years, the left-handed swinger established himself as a versatile infielder with the ability to make hard contact. Sadly, injuries plagued his career and he was limitted to just 127 games from 2022 to 2023. Nonetheless, he played exceptionally well when healthy. He hit .269 in 2022 with 13 stolen bases in 88 games.

Overall in four Minor League seasons, he hit .243 with a .661 OPS, 46 stolen bases, 81 walks, a .320 OBP, and 96 RBI. He was a fun player to watch and a valuable asset to any infield that he was a part of.

Best wishes, Collin!