The Baltimore Orioles have signed veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Tromp becomes the latest addition to a catching corps currently dealing with injuries, providing insurance for the team’s depth. The 31-year-old joins the club after being designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves earlier this week.
Tromp brings seven years of Major League experience to the Orioles. He has appeared in 79 career games with 205 at-bats, posting a .218/.225/.371 batting line. His defensive value has often outweighed his offensive production, earning him consistent praise for his glovework. However, his limited offensive output has kept him in a backup role throughout his career.
The Orioles are currently navigating a thin catching situation. All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman is sidelined with a left hamstring injury and has not played since Sunday, when he served as the designated hitter. Samuel Basallo is also out with a left wrist injury and has not started a game since Sunday. In the interim, Sam Huff has started the last three games behind the plate.
Tromp’s arrival gives the Orioles a non-roster option if Rutschman or Basallo need to be placed on the injured list. If both players return to health, however, the team may face a roster decision. Huff is out of minor league options and could be designated for assignment if the club needs to clear space. The Orioles previously designated Huff for assignment earlier this season and were able to re-sign him after he cleared waivers. There is no guarantee that process will repeat itself.
Tromp has spent time with the Braves, Rockies, and Brewers in his career and has remained a valuable utility catcher in the minors. His familiarity with the majors and defensive reliability make him a solid insurance policy for the Orioles in a short-term capacity.
The team will monitor the health of Rutschman and Basallo over the next week. If either player requires an IL stint, Tromp could be called up to the active roster. The Orioles are expected to make a decision on their catching depth ahead of a key series next week.
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