A relief pitcher who spent part of the 2026 season in Cleveland is staying put, at least for now. Codi Heuer made eight appearances for the Guardians this year before bouncing to two other organizations over the summer. He ended the season in the Baltimore Orioles’ system, and the club designated him for assignment after the World Series. Heuer had the option to become a free agent and look for a fresh start somewhere else, but he went the other way. MLB.com’s Jake Rill reported that the right-hander “cleared waivers and accepted outright assignment” to stay with Baltimore.
“This is now official: Luis Robert Jr.’s team option was declined. More moves announced by Orioles: -INF José Barrero and RHP Albert Suárez cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of accepting outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. – RHP Codi Heuer cleared waivers and accepted outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. – RHP Colin Selby cleared outright waivers, was reinstated from 60-day IL (right shoulder surgery) and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk,” Rill wrote.
This is now official: Luis Robert Jr.’s team option was declined.
More moves announced by Orioles:
-INF José Barrero and RHP Albert Suárez cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of accepting outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
– RHP Codi Heuer cleared waivers and… https://t.co/kKOrltUm06
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) October 31, 2026
That is not the path most veterans take. When a player clears waivers, he can often refuse the assignment and test the open market, and plenty of pitchers in Heuer’s spot jump at that chance. Two of his now former Orioles teammates, infielder José Barrero and pitcher Albert Suárez, did exactly that on the same day. Heuer chose to stay, which means he will remain in Baltimore’s system heading into 2027 without a spot on the 40-man roster.
His time in Cleveland was brief. Heuer posted a 4.66 ERA over 9 2/3 innings in eight outings for the Guardians, allowing 12 hits and five walks while striking out six. He did not give up a home run, and his 3.72 FIP suggests he pitched a little better than his ERA shows. After leaving Cleveland, he spent time in the Brewers organization before Milwaukee traded him to Baltimore in early August. He never pitched for the Orioles at the big league level and finished the year at Triple-A Norfolk.
Heuer’s career has been defined by injuries. The White Sox drafted him in the sixth round in 2018 out of Wichita State, and he looked like a future late-inning weapon right away. As a rookie in 2020, he posted a 1.52 ERA in 21 games with 25 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. The next summer, Chicago traded him across town to the Cubs in the deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to the South Side, and he finished 2021 with a 3.14 ERA for his new team.
Then his elbow gave out. Heuer had Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2022, then missed the 2024 season with an elbow fracture. He made it back to the majors with Texas and Detroit in 2025, but he has thrown just 14 1/3 big league innings over the last two seasons combined.
Over his career, Heuer owns a 3.76 ERA in 97 appearances with 92 strikeouts. At thirty years old, he still has the size and arm talent that made him such an intriguing prospect, and the Orioles clearly see enough to keep him around. By staying in a familiar organization, Heuer gives himself a chance to compete for a bullpen spot next spring without having to start over somewhere new.
Guardians fans may not remember much about his short stint in Cleveland, but Heuer’s comeback story is worth following. If he can finally stay healthy, Baltimore could end up with a valuable bullpen arm at almost no cost.
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