Spenser Watkins - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Announces retirement from baseball Watkins announced his retirement from professional baseball Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Impact Watkins -- who pitched with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan in 2025 -- plans to become a sports agent. He posted a career 5.97 ERA over 40 appearances (31 starts) covering parts of three major-league seasons.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Going overseas Watkins has signed a one-year contract with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Impact Watkins, 32, spent all of the 2024 season at Triple-A Rochester in the Nationals organization, collecting a 4.56 ERA. He's put up a 5.97 ERA and 102:51 K:BB over 164.1 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heading to Washington Watkins agreed to terms with the Nationals on Sunday, per his agency, Gaeta Sports Management.

Impact Watkins was initially expected to sign with a KBO team for the 2024 season, but he'll remain in MLB as part of the Nationals. He's made 40 appearances (31 starts) between the Orioles and Athletics in the majors over the past three seasons, posting a 5.97 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 164.1 innings.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elects free agency Watkins elected free agency Wednesday.

Impact Watkins made one appearance for the Athletics in 2023 but spent the bulk of the year in the minors with three different organizations. Because of his service time, he had the ability to elect free agency and look for a new landing spot.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A Oakland outrighted Watkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

Impact Watkins was lit up in his lone major-league appearance for the Athletics this season, yielding five earned runs over 4.1 innings in an Aug. 15 start at St. Louis. The 31-year-old right-hander is officially off the 40-man roster.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Triple-A Oakland optioned Watkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Impact Watkins was lit up for five earned runs over 4.1 innings in a spot start Tuesday versus the Cardinals as the Athletics fell 6-2. Kyle Muller has been called up in a corresponding roster move and could maybe step into the rotation next week.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lit up in season-debut Watkins (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out four.

Impact The 30-year-old righty put Oakland in an early hole during his season-debut, giving up a two-run homer to Nolan Arenado and a solo shot to Jordan Walker in a four-run first inning. Watkins started 30 games for Baltimore over the previous two seasons, posting a record of 7-13 with a 5.85 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 160 innings during that timespan. If he sticks in the rotation, Watkins tentatively lines up to face the Royals at home early next week.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tapped to start Tuesday Watkins will start for the Athletics on Tuesday in St. Louis, Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback reports.

Impact It had been Freddy Tarnok's turn, but he's gone down with a calf injury. Watkins was claimed off waivers a week ago and this will be his first start in the majors in 2023. He holds a career 5.85 ERA over 39 appearances -- 30 starts -- at the major-league level.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by Oakland Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Impact Watkins was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas after being claimed off waivers by the A's last week, but he is now set to receive his first big-league opportunity with his new club. It's unclear what role he will fill, but he has started 11 Triple-A games this season, so he looks like the leading candidate to replace the injured Freddy Tarnok (undisclosed) in Oakland's rotation.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

A's claim RHP Spenser Watkins off waivers The Oakland Athletics claimed right-hander Spenser Watkins off waivers from the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Claimed by Oakland The Athletics claimed Watkins off waivers from the Astros on Tuesday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback reports.

Impact Watkins had been designated for assignment by Houston and will remain in the American League West (although he'll report to Triple-A Las Vegas for now. The 30-year-old has posted an 8.35 over 14 appearances -- 11 starts -- at the Triple-A level this season.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cast off 40-man roster The Astros designated Watkins for assignment Sunday.

Impact Watkins was the casualty from the 40-man roster with the Astros needing to clear a spot for right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder), who was activated from the 60-day injured list in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Yankees. After the Astros acquired from the Orioles on June 23, Watkins pitched exclusively at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he produced a 9.74 ERA and 2.21 WHIP in 20.1 innings over six outings.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Astros acquire RHP Spenser Watkins from Orioles The Baltimore Orioles traded right-handed pitcher Spenser Watkins to the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations on Friday

JUNE 23, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Shipped to Houston The Orioles traded Watkins to the Astros on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact The Orioles designated Watkins for assignment Tuesday, and now the 30-year-old righty will add to the Astros' starter depth -- presumably with Triple-A Sugar Land. Watkins has spent all season in Triple-A, accumulating a 7.27 ERA and 1.92 WHIP through 26 innings across eight appearances (six starts).

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles designate Spenser Watkins for assignment; Cedric Mullins, Ryan Mountcasle to begin rehab assignments Spenser Watkins, who started 30 games on the mound for the Orioles between 2021 and 2022, was designated for assignment Tuesday, the club an...

JUNE 20, 2023 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Designated for assignment Watkins was designated for assignment Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Watkins was called up by the Orioles over the weekend but didn't make an appearance. The 26-year-old has posted a 7.27 ERA this season at Triple-A Norfolk and would seem to have a good chance to clear waivers.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joins big-league roster Watkins was recalled by the Orioles on Saturday.

Impact Watkins has thrown 160 innings at the big-league level, struggling to a 5.85 ERA while striking out just 13.7 percent of opposing batters. His 7.27 ERA and 20:17 K:BB in 26 Triple-A innings this season hardly inspire confidence, so it's unlikely he'll be seen in anything other than a low-leverage relief role. Reed Garrett was optioned in a corresponding move.

JUNE 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from minor-league IL Watkins (finger) was reinstated from Triple-A Norfolk's 7-day injured list last Thursday and worked two innings in his return, giving up one run on three hits and two walks while s...

Impact Watkins was sidelined for approximately one month with a right fourth finger laceration. Though he was capped at 35 pitches in his return last Thursday, Watkins should gradually increase his workload in his subsequent turns through Norfolk's rotation.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on Triple-A IL Watkins was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday due to a right fourth finger laceration, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact It doesn't seem to be anything that would keep him out for a long time, but he won't be an option for the Orioles for a while. Watkins holds a 4.15 ERA in three starts for Norfolk this season.

APRIL 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk following Sunday's 8-4 win over the White Sox.

Impact Watkins will head back to Triple-A after he was called up for extra bullpen depth Thursday. With Keegan Akin returning from the paternity list Monday, Watkins was the odd man out on the major-league roster.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles option starting pitcher Cole Irvin to Triple-A; Spenser Watkins called up After his third straight rough start to begin the season, Orioles left-handed starting pitcher Cole Irvin is being optioned to Triple-A. The...

APRIL 14, 2023 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Orioles reportedly option starting pitcher Cole Irvin to Triple-A; Spenser Watkins called up After his third straight rough start to begin the season, Orioles left-handed starting pitcher Cole Irvin is reportedly being optioned to Tr...

APRIL 14, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM

Back in Baltimore Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Watkins failed to make the big-league club out of spring training, though he's had a solid start at Norfolk by allowing only three earned runs across 10 frames and two starts. He's likely to pitch out of the bullpen in Baltimore, but he could be in line for spot starts.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Watkins had a 4.15 ERA and 10:4 K:BB over 13 innings during spring training but was unable to secure a spot at the back end of Baltimore's rotation. The 30-year-old had a 4.70 ERA in 23 outings for the Orioles last season and will be one of the top candidates for a call-up when the club requires spot starters this year.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Connolly's Tap Room: Who is your odd man (or men) out in the Orioles rotation? There could be just one rotation spot available for Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Austin Voth or Spenser Watkins.

MARCH 22, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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