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Ryan McKenna let go by Baltimore Orioles. Here's what happens now for St. Thomas grad

jay pinsonnault, portsmouth herald
·2 min read

Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, learned Monday he was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. This means he was removed from the club's 40-man roster. Within seven days, the Orioles must either trade McKenna or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers.

Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas, was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. McKenna began the season at Triple-A Norfolk, but was called up to the Orioles on April 26. He appeared in nine games and hit two solo home runs.
Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas, was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. McKenna began the season at Triple-A Norfolk, but was called up to the Orioles on April 26. He appeared in nine games and hit two solo home runs.

If McKenna, 27, a fourth-round selection by the Orioles in the 2015 draft, is claimed off waivers by another club, he will be assigned to his new team's 26-man roster because he no longer has minor league options. If he clears waivers, he would be free to join another organization, or return to the Orioles' minor league system.

Ryan McKenna batted .244 with two home runs and five RBIs this season with the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A team of of the Baltimore Orioles.
Ryan McKenna batted .244 with two home runs and five RBIs this season with the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A team of of the Baltimore Orioles.

McKenna was called up to Baltimore on April 26. He appeared in nine games and went 3-for-8, including two solo home runs. Austin Hayes, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing three weeks with a strained calf, took McKenna's spot on the roster.

McKenna appeared in the majors with the Orioles for the fourth season. He began this season at Triple-A Norfolk, batting .244 with two homers and five RBIs before being called up to the majors.

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Last year, McKenna appeared in 89 games in the regular season and had career highs in several categories, including batting average (.254), on-base percentage (.316), slugging (.677), RBIs (18), and stolen bases (five).

The Orioles won the American League East last year with a record of 101-61, and were swept by the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series. McKenna, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk in the final week of the regular season, was not on the postseason roster.

McKenna appeared in 291 games with the Orioles since he made his debut in 2021. He had eight home runs and 45 RBIs, and a batting average of .224. His first career MLB hit was a triple in 2021 against the Boston Red Sox off Nick Pivetta at Camden Yards.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What's next for Ryan McKenna after he's let go by Baltimore Orioles