In a surprising move, the San Francisco Giants claimed Hunter Harvey on waivers. Harvey, the Orioles’ top draft pick in 2013,  was on the 60-day injured list, which sums up the promise that went unfulfilled with the Orioles because of injuries.

The 26-year-old right-hander’s injuries included Tommy John surgery and a broken leg. He finished his career in Baltimore with just 26 appearances, a 1-2 record and a 3.42 ERA.

Harvey missed time late in the 2014 season because of a flexor mass injury after he pitched 87 2/3 innings at Low-A Delmarva. That remains the most innings he has thrown in a season.

He had the Tommy John surgery in 2016 and finally made it to the majors in August 2019. Harvey was 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in seven appearances, giving the Orioles hope that he might become a key piece in their bullpen.

However, in 2020, Harvey suffered an elbow injury, delaying the start of a 60-game season. He pitched in 10 games, going 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA.

This past season, Harvey had an oblique injury during spring training. After he pitched in nine games with a 4.15 ERA, he hurt himself warming up in the bullpen before entering a game in Houston on June 30th. He was diagnosed with a lat injury, and he didn’t pitch again for the Orioles.

Harvey was placed on the 60-day injured list and reinjured himself in a rehab stint at Triple-A Norfolk.

Severino, Ellis become free agents: Right-handed pitcher Chris Ellis, who had a 2.49 ERA in six starts after he was acquired on waivers from Tampa Bay, was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk and chose free agency. He joins catcher Pedro Severin0 and right-handers Marcos Diplán and Conner Greene, who elected free agency after being placed on outright waivers.

Catcher Nick Ciuffo and right-hander Spenser Watkins have been assigned to Norfolk. Ciuffo hit .200 (1-for-5) in two late-season games. Watkins was 2-7 with an 8.07 ERA in 16 games, 10 starts.

The moves leave the Orioles with 27 players on their 40-man roster.

Infielder Jorge Mateo, left-hander Keegan Akin, right-hander Jorge López and outfielder DJ Stewart remain on the 60-day injured list and must be transferred to the 40-man roster by Sunday.