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MLB trade: Minnesota Twins make splash with Jorge Lopez addition

By Kevin Henry

Jul 23, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (48) reacts after recording the final out against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (48) reacts after recording the final out against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Twins bolstered the bullpen on Tuesday morning, acquiring All-Star reliever Jorge Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a pitcher with MLB experience and prospects.

MLB trade news: Minnesota Twins acquire Jorge Lopez from Baltimore Orioles

The sell-off for the Baltimore Orioles continued just one day after the Orioles traded Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros as part of a three-team deal. Baltimore entered Tuesday’s play with a 52-51 mark and just 2.5 games out of the final American League Wild Card spot. However, the Orioles seem content with building for the near future by dealing some of their top players now.

Lopez is certainly one of those players, earning his first-ever All-Star Game appearance this season. He heads to Minnesota with 19 saves and a 1.68 ERA/2.99 FIP/0.972 WHIP over the course of 48.1 innings spread over 44 games.

The Twins will be the fourth team for the 29-year-old Lopez during his seven MLB seasons, following three seasons in Baltimore and three seasons each (including partials) with the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers. While Lopez has plenty of experience, this season has also been a breakout for him as opponents are hitting just .174 against him and he has posted 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Also, in a big plus for the Twins, he has two years of team control left after this season.

Returning to Baltimore is reliever 28-year-old Yennier Canó, who made his MLB debut on May 11 and has appeared in 10 games for the Twins this season, posting a 9.22 ERA/6.55 FIP/2.049 WHIP. Control has been an issue for him with the Twins as he has walked 11 batters in 13.2 innings. He also made an interesting bit of MLB history earlier this year.

Cano was just optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, a place where he has performed well this season, posting a 1.90 ERA in 20 games (23.2 innings).

Additionally, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted that the Orioles would also be receiving Cade Povich (High-A left-handed pitcher), Juan Nuñez (Florida Complex League right-handed pitcher) and one more low-level prospect to be named later.

Next. Do Twins regret decision to trade Taylor Rogers?. dark

We will have more on this story as it develops.

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