Kline announced Wednesday via his personal Instagram account that he has retired from professional baseball.
A second-round pick of the Orioles in 2012, Kline had a slow climb through the Baltimore system due to a series of arm injuries, but he finally reached the big leagues in 2019. He ended up making 37 appearances for Baltimore across the past two seasons, posting a 5.48 ERA in 46 innings. After being outrighted off the 40-man roster in October, Kline likely would have had to settle for a minor-league deal this winter if he wanted to keep his career going, but the 29-year-old apparently determined he was better off stepping away from the game.
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Branden Kline: Refuses outright assignment
Rotowire
Kline refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and was released by the Orioles, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The 29-year-old elected free agency rather than heading back to Triple-A. Kline appeared in three games this season and gave up one run with seven strikeouts and three walks over five innings. He had a 5.93 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in a larger sample size (41 innings) during 2019.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Kline was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Kline was shuffled between the major-league roster and the alternate training site in 2020, and he'll be cast off the 40-man roster heading into the offseason. The right-hander made three relief appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season, recording a 1.80 ERA and seven strikeouts over five innings.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Back with big club
Rotowire
The Orioles recalled Kline from their alternate training site Wednesday.
He'll rejoin the Baltimore bullpen as a replacement for Evan Phillips (elbow), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over 35 career relief appearances spanning 42.2 innings, Kline owns a 5.70 ERA.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Optioned following Game 1
Rotowire
Kline was optioned to Baltimore's alternate training site following Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays.
Kline was called up for the first game of the day, but he'll head right back down after failing to make an appearance. He's pitched in one game this season, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames while allowing one hit and fanning three.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Rejoins big-league club
Rotowire
Kline was recalled from the alternate training site Thursday.
Kline made his major-league debut in early September and will rejoin the Orioles with less than two weeks left in the regular season. The 28-year-old should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Optioned to alternate site
Rotowire
Kline was optioned to the team's alternate site Monday.
Kline was recalled for the team's weekend series, but he is being optioned so that Carson Fulmer can be activated. Kline appeared in one game, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings while striking out three.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Recalled from alternate site
Rotowire
Kline's contract was purchased by the Orioles on Friday.
The 28-year-old threw 41 innings in his debut season last year, posting a 5.93 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. He was expected to serve as the 29th man for Friday's doubleheader against the Yankees, but the placement of Alex Cobb (undisclosed) on the injured list led to Kline receiving a traditional promotion.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Added to 60-man pool
Rotowire
Kline will be a part of the Orioles' 60-man player pool this season.
Kline was outrighted off the 40-man roster back in February, but he is now eligible to pitch in the majors this season. He logged a 5.93 ERA in 41 MLB innings last season.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Kline cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.
Kline debuted as a 27-year-old last season, posting an unimpressive 5.93 ERA in 41 innings of work. Neither his 18.6 percent strikeout rate nor his 10.4 percent walk rate were particularly good.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Dropped from 40-man
Rotowire
Kline was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Thursday.
Kline broke into the majors in 2019 but struggled across 34 appearances, finishing with a 5.93 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 34:19 K:BB across 41 innings. Pat Valaika was claimed off waivers in a corresponding roster move.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Called up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Orioles recalled Kline from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Royals.
Kline has previously logged 25 appearances out of the Baltimore bullpen this season, posting a 7.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 32.2 innings. He's unlikely to consistently receive high-leverage work in September.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Orioles optioned Kline to Triple-A Norfolk ahead of the second game of Monday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.
Kline worked the seventh inning of the Orioles' 8-5 loss in the first game of the twin bill, giving up a run on one hit and a walk while striking out two. The right-hander, who owns a 7.44 ERA over his 25 appearances at the big-league level this season, was sent out to Triple-A to clear room on the roster for pitcher Ty Blach, who was recalled to start the nightcap.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
Kline was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.
Kline has shuffled between Norfolk and Baltimore throughout the season. He hasn't been good at either level, posting a 6.18 ERA in the majors and an even-worse 7.80 mark with Norfolk. Jose Rondon was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
The Orioles optioned Kline to Triple-A Norfolk following Monday's 6-3 loss to the Diamondbacks, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
After a short start by Aaron Brooks, Kline helped save the bullpen by covering 2.1 scoreless frames in relief. The Orioles' decision to send Kline back to the minors after the stellar outing is likely just a means of exchanging him for a fresh arm. Expect Baltimore to recall another reliever from Triple-A prior to Tuesday's contest.
Kline was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.
Kline has a 6.75 ERA in 25.1 innings in the majors this season. He should pitch in low-leverage situations. Keon Broxton was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Sent back to Triple-A
Rotowire
Kline (1-4) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk and failed to record an out Monday against the Rays. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game.
Kline entered the contest with a one-run lead, but he gave up a three-run blast in the sixth inning and the Rays would end up securing a 6-3 victory. The 27-year-old right-hander owns a 6.75 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 25.1 innings this season in the big leagues, and his latest performance understandably resulted in a demotion.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Rejoins Orioles
Rotowire
Kline was recalled from Double-A Bowie on Friday.
Kline was optioned to the minors in early June but makes his return to the majors two weeks later. The 27-year-old had a decent start to the season with a 3.95 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 13.2 innings, but he allowed runs in five consecutive outings prior to his demotion.
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Orioles' Branden Kline: Shuttled to minors
Rotowire
Kline (1-3) allowed one run on two hits over two-thirds of an inning and took the loss Friday night against the Astros. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.
Kline has allowed at least one run in each of his last five outings, so the Orioles have elected to demote him until he can figure things out. A corresponding move has not yet been announced.
