SARASOTA, Fla. — In 2023, Tyler Wells went from an All-Star candidate in the first half of the season to being demoted to the minor leagues because he ran out of gas.

But he returned at the tail end of that season as a reliever and pitched one of the most important innings of Orioles baseball in recent memory. Wells recorded the final three outs of Baltimore’s American League East-clinching victory — the club’s first division crown in nearly a decade. He then put together three straight scoreless outings in the postseason.

Now, Baltimore fans will get to see that version of Wells on a full-time basis.

Wells will be in the bullpen to begin the 2026 season thanks to Baltimore’s rotation depth and better luck (so far) on the injury front. The 6-foot-8 right-hander will give manager Craig Albernaz a “Swiss Army knife” in the bullpen — someone who is able to be an opener, closer, two-inning arm and anything in between.

“For Wellsy, it’s very valuable for us,” Albernaz said. “He can pitch in leverage, he can throw multiple [innings]. Having that stamina and also the pitchability to do that, it’s extremely valuable for us.”

Wells has previously said he preferred to be a starter, and he won jobs in Baltimore’s rotation each season from 2022 to 2024. But after his second elbow surgery and the Orioles’ offseason additions to the rotation, Wells said he’s “taking pride” in his mentality of being able to do anything the Orioles ask of him.

“Pitching is pitching,” Wells said Sunday. “Being able to go out there in first or the ninth or the seventh, sixth, fifth, doesn’t matter. It’s all the same thing, it’s all being able to go out there and execute pitches.”

The last time Wells was a dedicated reliever was in 2021, his first season in Baltimore. A Rule 5 draft pick that season, it was Wells’ first year back from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery and he was a one-inning reliever for Baltimore. He posted a 4.11 ERA with sparkling peripherals, including a 5.42 strikeout-to-walk rate.

Wells didn’t technically pitch in relief Sunday in the Orioles’ 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays, starting the game as a one-inning opener so he could face the top of Toronto’s lineup. He tossed a scoreless inning, his sixth this spring. He’s allowed only two base runners while striking out eight batters during camp.

“I’m really into just kind of getting to the season and just kind of carry over the momentum,” Wells said. “I know it’s spring training and all, but being able to face the top of the lineup today definitely gave me a little bit of the feel of getting into full-on games, regular-season games. Really happy about that, really excited.”

Orioles’ Craig Albernaz ‘couldn’t sleep’ after Gunnar Henderson’s WBC performance

Hunt the Trimble

In the early years of the Mike Elias era, the vast majority of the executive’s early draft picks became massive hits — Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson in 2019 and Heston Kjerstad and Jordan Westburg in 2020.

That success continued in 2021’s first round with Colton Cowser and Connor Norby, but the Orioles’ third pick that year didn’t pan out. Until now, perhaps.

Outfielder Reed Trimble, the No. 65 selection in 2021, dealt with several injuries early in his career — from a torn labrum in his shoulder to a hamstring injury. He played only 71 games through the first three years of his professional career and then missed half of 2024.

But Trimble broke out last season in the minors — an .827 OPS and 21 stolen bases between Double- and Triple-A — to earn a spot on Baltimore’s 40-man roster this offseason and a spot in big league camp. The 25-year-old switch-hitter impressed throughout spring training, but he was optioned to minor league camp Sunday — an expected move as Baltimore starts the process of cutting the roster down to 26 players for opening day.

Trimble stood out with his approach and sweet swings from both sides during live batting practice early in camp. He did the same in games, going 4-for-15 at the plate, including two hits Saturday. He’s also a solid defensive outfielder with speed. He’s never been thrown out in 61 stolen base attempts in his professional career.

“It was awesome. First year on the 40-man [roster], get to see him play up close and personal,” Albernaz said of Trimble. “Obviously, there was injuries in the minor leagues, but to see him healthy in camp, he has the potential to be a real impact player. I think the way he plays defense at all three outfield spots, switch-hitter, managing the at-bat, has power, and then also he can steal bases, and he’s a smart base runner.

“He was very impressive in camp, and I’m looking forward to seeing his developmental progression.”

Sarasota southpaws

Luis De León impressed during his outing Saturday. Two more left-handed pitching prospects did the same on Sunday.

Joseph Dzierwa and Sebastian Gongora joined the Orioles from minor league camp to cover innings, and both showed why they’re pitching prospects worth following.

Dzierwa, the highest-drafted pitcher of the Elias era, retired the side in order in the seventh with three groundouts. The 6-foot-8 southpaw, whom the Orioles drafted in the second round out of Michigan State last year, averaged 94 mph and topped out at 96.1 mph on his sinker. That velocity is up a tick or two from where it was when Dzierwa was drafted.

LHP Joseph Dzierwa (Orioles’ No. 14 prospect per @MLBPipeline) works a 1-2-3 7th inning vs. the Blue Jays, inducing 3 straight groundouts in 10-pitch frame. Velo mostly 94-96 mph.

Dzierwa was the O’s 2nd-round pick in the 2025 Draft. The 21-year-old hasn’t made pro debut yet. pic.twitter.com/ibFycCC3e0

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) March 8, 2026

Gongora, one of several late-round picks from 2024 who have saved the value of that draft class, walked four batters in 1 2/3 innings, but he didn’t allow a run and struck out two batters. The 6-5 lefty garnered five whiffs on 13 swings, including three on his slider while topping out at 96.5 mph on his sinker.

Dzierwa and Gongora are ranked as Baltimore’s Nos. 17 and 30 prospects, respectively. They are members of a growing group of arms on the farm that could turn around the fortunes of the Orioles’ pitching pipeline.

Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.