During an already hectic day of Orioles transactions, the Orioles announced two more moves: infielder Jean Segura was released from his minor league contract, and left-hander Nick Vespi was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.
Segura signed a minor league contract in August and hit only.137/.250/.196 in 60 plate appearances over 14 games with Norfolk. This was Segura’s first game action of any kind since his final game with the Marlins on July 31, 2023. The Marlins dealt Segura to the Guardians the next day as part of the deadline transaction that sent Josh Bell to Miami, and because Segura was solely included as a salary offset, Cleveland immediately dismissed the veteran shortstop.
According to MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko (via X), Segura requested his release, and the Orioles granted it, which may be taken in a variety of ways. It’s possible that Segura wanted to pursue other chances if Baltimore didn’t add him to the MLB roster, or it might be a sign that Segura is thinking about retiring. Because Segura did not play any winter ball and there was no indication that he was looking for another playing contract in the year since the Guardians dismissed him, his pact with the Orioles could be considered as one last chance to revive his playing career.
Segura’s two-year, $17MM free agent contract signed with the Marlins in the 2022-23 offseason expires at the end of this season, which might also serve as a clean break for his official retirement. It remains to be seen whether Segura intends to retire, but if so, his poor performance with Miami in 2023 should not overshadow an otherwise very strong 12-season career in the majors, which included two All-Star selections.
Last week, Baltimore designated Vespi for assignment, and he will now be assigned to Triple-A after clearing waivers and being removed from the Orioles’ 40-man roster. This was Vespi’s first outright assignment, and he does not have enough MLB service time to reject it in favor of free agency.
Vespi will instead travel to Norfolk, a familiar destination for a pitcher who has frequently been shuttled between the majors and minors since his big league debut in 2022. Vespi has a 3.88 ERA in 53 1/3 career innings in the Show, but his lack of strikeout ability has pushed him to the back of the bullpen in the Orioles’ view. Vespi has already been promoted and optioned to Triple-A for the maximum of five times this season.
