Orioles Signed Pitcher Connor Cooke
The right-handed pitcher has joined the Baltimore organization on a minor league contract.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Baseball
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The Baltimore Orioles have signed 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Connor Cooke to a minor league contract. Following the agreement, the team officially assigned Cooke to their Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk.
Why it matters
The signing provides the Orioles with additional pitching depth after Cooke successfully returned to the mound with the Lexington Legends.
Cooke recorded a 2.66 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings for the Lexington Legends. Over his four-season minor-league career, he has accumulated a 4.57 ERA with 193 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched.
The players
Connor Cooke
He is a 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who played college baseball at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Baltimore Orioles
This is a professional baseball team based in Baltimore that competes in the American League East division.
Toronto Blue Jays
This professional baseball franchise is based in Toronto and competes in the American League East.
Lexington Legends
This is an independent professional baseball team that provided a landing spot for Cooke after his release.
The details
Drafted in the 10th round in 2021 by the Toronto Blue Jays, Cooke spent time developing as a prospect before missing the 2025 season due to injury. He was released by Toronto in March 2026 before finding success with the Lexington Legends.
Timeline
Connor Cooke was selected in the 10th round of the MLB draft in 2021.
The pitcher missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from an injury.
The Toronto Blue Jays released Connor Cooke in March 2026.
The Baltimore Orioles signed Connor Cooke in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
This move strengthens the Orioles depth chart as the organization evaluates talent for future pitching rotations. It marks a recovery effort for a player aiming to regain his status as a prospect after missing time in the 2021 MLB Draft developmental pipeline.
Cooke will begin his tenure with the organization at the Triple-A Norfolk level, which dictates his availability for potential late-season or emergency call-ups. His performance in the minors will determine whether he earns a spot on the 40-man roster for future campaigns.
The takeaway
The addition of Cooke illustrates the ongoing effort by the Orioles to rebuild pitching depth through minor league scouting. Returning players must prove their durability and performance consistency to successfully navigate the jump back to the upper levels of the minor league system.
Further reading
For more news on the franchise, visit Baltimore Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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