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Dodgers Acquire Chayce McDermott in Deal with Orioles
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- Dodgers Acquire Chayce McDermott in Deal with Orioles
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have added another arm to their system, acquiring right-hander Chayce McDermott from the Baltimore Orioles following his recent designation for assignment. The 27-year-old has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as he begins his next chapter in a new organization.
In exchange for McDermott, the Dodgers sent Baltimore pitcher Axel Perez.
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McDermott was once viewed as a rising arm within Baltimore's pipeline. Just a few seasons ago, he delivered strong results across the upper minors, posting a sub-3.50 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A while showing the durability of a starting pitcher.
That performance helped put him on the radar as a potential contributor to the Orioles' big-league staff. He even received a brief call-up in 2024.
However, his development stalled dramatically the following season. McDermott struggled to find consistency as a starter in 2025, battling command issues that led to elevated pitch counts, frequent walks, and hard contact.
Those struggles prompted a shift to the bullpen, where he showed some improvement in shorter outings. In relief, his stuff ticked up and his results stabilized over a limited sample, offering a glimpse of a possible new role.
The inconsistency has carried into 2026. In limited action this year, McDermott has continued to battle control problems, issuing multiple walks in a small number of innings.
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Combined with a difficult spring showing, the Orioles ultimately chose to move on while he still had minor-league options remaining.
For Los Angeles , this move fits a familiar pattern. The Dodgers have consistently targeted players with upside in need of refinement, particularly pitchers with strong raw tools but uneven results.
McDermott's fastball velocity has increased in a bullpen role, and he has begun to simplify his pitch mix, leaning more heavily on a four-seam fastball, slider, and cutter combination.
The trade represents a low-risk opportunity for the Dodgers to evaluate whether their development system can help McDermott harness his arsenal more effectively.
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With minor-league flexibility still intact, the organization has time to experiment with his role and mechanics without immediate pressure.
In return, Baltimore receives a young developmental arm in Perez, a 20-year-old who remains several years away from major-league consideration. While still raw, he offers long-term upside as a projectable pitcher.
Ultimately, this deal reflects a change-of-scenery gamble for both sides — one that could benefit the Dodgers if McDermott can translate his improved stuff into consistent results.
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