dailyloe.com – The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott from the Baltimore Orioles. The trade was announced by the Dodgers on Wednesday afternoon. They sent minor league right-hander Axel Perez to Baltimore in exchange. The Dodgers already had a vacancy on their 40-man roster for the move.
The Orioles designated McDermott for assignment last week. Jon Heyman of the New York Post first reported the trade. McDermott is being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City with his new club. Jack Harris of the California Post added that detail.
McDermott is 25 years old. He was once considered one of Baltimore’s top prospects. That status was just a couple of seasons ago. He pitched 119 innings of 3.10 ERA ball between Double-A and Triple-A in one season.
He followed that with 100 innings and a 3.78 ERA in Triple-A the next year. McDermott made a brief MLB debut in 2024. He tossed four innings during that debut. It looked like he would soon become a regular contributor for the Orioles.
That expectation never materialized for the former fourth-round draft pick. The 2025 season became a nightmare for McDermott. He was shelled for a 6.91 ERA in his first 11 Triple-A starts. Opponents collected 43 hits and six home runs against him in that stretch.
He also allowed 36 walks in just 43 innings across those 11 brutal starts. McDermott hit four batters and was charged with seven wild pitches. In light of those struggles, the Orioles moved him to the bullpen.
His first relief outing was rough, allowing five runs in 1 2/3 innings. He then settled in for his final 15 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. McDermott logged a 1.76 ERA with an 18-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in that span.
It has been a struggle for McDermott in 2026 as well. He has pitched 5 1/3 innings out of the Norfolk bullpen so far. He has surrendered four runs on five hits and six walks. McDermott also hit one batter with a pitch.
He pitched three spring training innings for Baltimore this year. He was tagged for three solo home runs during those innings. Shaky command has long been McDermott’s biggest flaw.
The right-hander is still struggling with command in his final minor league option year. Baltimore moved on from him last week as a result. McDermott’s former prospect status generated trade interest.
He will now see if he can find new life with the Dodgers organization. Los Angeles has many success stories with change-of-scenery candidates. This is partly due to the volume of players they acquire in fringe transactions.
They often try to pass such players through waivers quickly themselves. McDermott can still be optioned to the minors, however. There is no urgency for the Dodgers to make that move immediately.[]
Source: MLB Trade Rumors
