The Baltimore Orioles have been among the league’s most aggressive teams when it comes to roster management under president of baseball operations Mike Elias. The organization has consistently taken chances on players with intriguing upside, even if those moves sometimes lead to difficult roster decisions.
That was the case again this week. Less than a month after acquiring right-handed pitcher Eduarniel Nunez from the Athletics, Baltimore has lost him to another club.
The Orioles added Nunez in May, viewing him as a low-risk, high-upside arm thanks to his power pitching potential. However, his tenure with the organization proved to be brief. To create a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired pitcher Kyle Nicolas, Baltimore designated Nunez for assignment on June 4.
The move opened the door for another team to claim him, and that’s exactly what happened. After Nunez failed to clear waivers, the Chicago Cubs announced Monday that they had claimed him from the Baltimore Orioles, ending his short stint in Baltimore.
The Chicago Cubs wasted no time assigning Eduarniel Nunez to the Arizona Complex League after claiming him off waivers. Because the Cubs already had two openings on their 40-man roster, no corresponding move was required.
The acquisition marks a return to familiar territory for Nunez. Originally signed by Chicago as an international free agent nearly ten years ago, the right-hander now begins his second stint with the organization.
Nunez advanced to Triple-A in 2024 but struggled to establish himself and eventually entered minor league free agency. He later signed with the San Diego Padres and earned a spot on their major league roster in 2025. His journey continued when he was traded to the Athletics as part of the package that brought All-Star closer Mason Miller to San Diego. The Orioles then acquired Nunez from the Athletics in exchange for cash considerations last month.
At the major league level, the 27-year-old Dominican pitcher has yet to find consistent success. Across 10 appearances with the Padres and Athletics last season, he posted a 7.11 ERA. While he showed some promise with San Diego, recording a 3.86 ERA in four outings, his overall numbers were hurt by control issues. Nunez struck out 11 batters in 12â…” innings but also walked 11 and hit three more, highlighting the command problems that have followed him throughout his career.
His struggles continued after joining the Orioles. In a brief stint with Triple-A Norfolk, Nunez surrendered nine runs in just four innings. Baltimore attempted to make mechanical adjustments, but the changes did not translate into improved results, likely contributing to the team’s decision to move on.
For the Baltimore Orioles, the move was largely about roster flexibility. With limited opportunities available in the major league bullpen and a need to create space on the 40-man roster, Nunez became the odd man out. The Cubs, meanwhile, will hope a fresh environment and familiar organization can help unlock the potential that once made him an intriguing prospect.
