Dodgers Acquire Orioles Pitcher in Trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers added a young right-hander to their pitching depth.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, white, orange, and black, representing the Dodgers and Orioles uniforms.The Dodgers' latest trade acquisition adds another piece to their championship puzzle, as they continue to build a roster capable of sustained success.Norfolk Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired 27-year-old pitcher Chayce McDermott from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for 20-year-old international prospect Axel Perez. McDermott, a former top Astros prospect, has struggled to find success at the major league level so far, while Perez has yet to play above the Dominican Summer League. The move is seen as a depth addition for the powerhouse Dodgers, who are always looking to add young talent to their championship-caliber roster.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are perennial contenders and are always looking to bolster their pitching depth, even with minor trades like this one. While McDermott hasn't found his footing in the majors yet, the Dodgers have a track record of developing young pitchers and turning them into valuable contributors. This trade gives them another arm to work with as they aim to maintain their dynasty.

The details

In the trade, the Dodgers sent 20-year-old international prospect Axel Perez to the Orioles in exchange for 27-year-old right-hander Chayce McDermott. McDermott made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2024 but struggled in his only start, eventually being sent back down to Triple-A. At the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, McDermott made five appearances with a 6.75 ERA. Perez, meanwhile, has only pitched in the Dominican Summer League so far, posting a 5.48 ERA in 10 games in 2025.

  • The trade was completed on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Chayce McDermott

A 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who was previously a top prospect in the Houston Astros organization before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles.

Axel Perez

A 20-year-old international prospect from the Dominican Republic who has only played in the Dodgers' Dominican Summer League affiliate so far.

Los Angeles Dodgers

A Major League Baseball team known for their sustained success and willingness to make trades to bolster their roster.

Baltimore Orioles

A Major League Baseball team that is in the midst of a rebuild and looking to acquire young talent through trades.

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The takeaway

This trade is a classic Dodgers move - acquiring a young, unproven pitcher with potential in the hopes of developing him into a valuable contributor to their championship-caliber roster. While McDermott has struggled so far in his MLB career, the Dodgers have a track record of getting the most out of their pitching talent, making this a low-risk, high-reward transaction.