MLB rosters shift like sand dunes in the wind. Players come, players go, and these moves often make perfect sense to the strategists upstairs. At other times, transactions leave fans confused, frustrated, and wondering where the team is headed. A recent Baltimore Orioles roster shuffle involving a well-performing pitcher appears to have hit that latter nerve, igniting significant dissatisfaction among the Orioles’ fans.

More specifically, the news broke on April 19, 2025, on the popular fan forum Reddit, shared by user u/Datdude_717 within the r/orioles community. The announcement outlined two major changes for the Birds. For starters, right-handed pitcher Brandon Young was called up from High-A Aberdeen. His jersey number was assigned 63. And he was scheduled to make his MLB debut. The second part involved removing 29-year-old right-handed pitcher Scott Blewett from the 40-man roster, designating him for assignment to make room.

Brandon Young’s promotion is the climax of a slow ascension for the homegrown player. Young originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2020 and climbed his way up prospect lists. He entered 2025 ranked within the organization’s Top 20. His performance this season at Triple-A Norfolk certainly merited the promotion. Young registered an impressive 2.76 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched over three starts, indicating he’s deserving of an opportunity at the big league level.

But the move that seemingly baffled and angered segments of the fan base was the corresponding designation of Scott Blewett. Less than a week earlier, the Orioles had claimed Blewett off waivers from Minnesota. In his remarkably short time in Baltimore, the right-hander went out and did exactly what the club wanted from him, perhaps a little more. Blewett pitched 4.1 totally scoreless innings across two relief appearances. He issued only one walk and struck out six batters, producing a perfect ERA and a fine 0.95 FIP. He appeared to be a solid bullpen option.

Social media erupts: Orioles fans question Blewett’s decision

The news of Blewett’s sudden removal, right after pitching flawlessly, hit Orioles social media like a thud. Fans struggled to understand how a pitcher who was doing so well had gotten tossed aside so quickly. They simply could not process the team giving up on a pitcher who had not yielded a single run.

The immediate reaction online from many O’s supporters was pure, unfiltered disbelief. One fan’s raw reaction said it best: “Why DFA Blewit?! ” It captured the immediate reaction echoing through the fan base. Blewett had arrived through waivers less than a week ago. Then he had 4.1 perfect innings. (0.00 ERA, 6 K, 1 BB). His swift exit seems completely illogical.

That confusion turned into targeted anger for some, focusing on perceived inequalities on the roster. One fan commented, “While Perez is still on the team, is unreal work.” This speaks to a deeper skepticism about Elias’s judgment, particularly following a rough start to 2025 that found the Orioles in last place in the AL East. Fans were fed up with Perez’s uninspiring resume, including a 4.50 ERA in 2024.

The frustration then escalated, with some fans questioning the logic behind the move and the general manager himself. There were comparisons to other pitchers and questions about the decision-making that kept other players over the possibly effective Blewett. “Did something get into Elias’s coke. Why keep Bowman over Blewett?” Points fingers to the roster mismanagement, with fans questioning why Blewett, who posted a 2.18 ERA in 33 MLB innings, wasn’t given a longer leash.

For some parts of the fanbase, this one transaction became symbolic of larger concerns regarding the direction of the team. “We no longer have a serious front office.” Fans pointed to past successes, like the acquisitions of Yennier Cano and Tyler Wells from the Twins, as evidence that Elias once had a knack for savvy roster moves. Blewett’s sudden departure, however, signaled to fans that the front office had lost its insight.

In the end, most of the ire came back to the Orioles’ very real need for reliable pitching depth amid injuries. One comment captured this desperation well: “I don’t like this move at all. Why not send Povich back down?… With how sh##y our starting pitching is, we need these solid relief pitchers. I miss Danny Coulombe.” The fan suggests optioning starter Cade Povich, who had minor league options, as a less disruptive alternative. The reference to missing Danny Coulombe, a dependable reliever who is out after elbow surgery, adds a layer of nostalgia for a time when the bullpen felt secure.