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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: Tyler Wells #68 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 31, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The undoubted theme of this MLB trade deadline is the sheer number of intra-division trades that have taken place. The Orioles have been a part of two of them after the announcement of Tyler Wells being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring right-handed reliever Tyler Wells from the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN.”
The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring right-handed reliever Tyler Wells from the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN.
Tyler Wells, 31, has spent his entire six-year MLB career in a Baltimore Orioles uniform. Baltimore is clearly selling, as they’ve already traded away the likes of Taylor Ward, Adley Rutschman, and Jake Rogers. Tyler Wells now joins the group.
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More on Tyler Wells to Tampa Bay Rays Trade
GettyBALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: Jake Rogers #27, Tyler Wells #68, and Dylan Beavers #12 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 31, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
In the Tyler Wells trade, the Baltimore Orioles are acquiring Michael Forret as the return.
MLBTR.com’s Darragh McDonald wrote (on 8/2) about Tyler Wells this season:
“He is doing well in the new role. He has logged 54 innings out of the Baltimore bullpen this year with a 2.67 earned run average. He has gotten a bit of help from a .241 batting average on balls in play and 76.8% strand rate but his 25.1% strikeout rate and 6.2% walk rat are both good figures. His 3.41 FIP and 3.47 SIERA are a bit pessimistic about his ERA but still point to him generally doing good work.”
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Tyler Wells MLB Career This Far
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 17: Tyler Wells #68 of the Baltimore Orioles and Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles react after win against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on July 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Across 370.1 IP in seven MLB seasons, Tyler Wells has a lifetime ERA of 3.79 (142 games pitched, 50 starts).
The Minnesota Twins originally drafted Wells in the 15th round of the 2016 MLB draft, and he ended up making his MLB debut in 2021.
He compiled 23 starts and 20 starts in 2022 and 2023. He pitched 100+ innings in both of those seasons, but has been used as a primary reliever since then.
In 2025, Wells posted an ERA of 2.91 over 21.2 innings, but injuries got in the way of what was a promising start to the year.
However, he’s bounced back nicely this year and will now pitch for a World Series contender in the Tampa Bay Rays.
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TJ French covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience.
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