Thayer opted out of his minor-league contract with the Orioles on Saturday, MLB Trade Rumors reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thayer, a non-roster invitee, put together a rather pedestrian spring for the Orioles, giving up three runs over six innings. That performance put him on the chopping block at final roster cut downs, and rather than waiting to be released at the end of camp, Thayer opted to pursue free agency early. He may have to settle for work at the Triple-A level before reemerging in a bullpen role for an MLB team.

Thayer signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Thayer spent the past four seasons in the Padres bullpen, but was designated for assignment in August after posting a disappointing 4.06 ERA and 3.6 BB/9 in 37.2 innings. He'll compete for a spot in the bullpen, although he'll have to pitch better than he did in 2015 if he wants to make the 25-man roster.

Thayer (shoulder) has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports. A shoulder strain in his throwing shoulder landed Thayer on the disabled list on June 17. He has ramped up his activity, including a bullpen session Tuesday, and has now come off the disabled list. The Padres optioned lefty reliever Frank Garces to clear room on the roster for Thayer.

Thayer (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports. Thayer continues his recovery process, and could be on the verge of rejoining the bullpen if he continues to progress without a hitch. The veteran has pitched relatively well again this season, posting a 3.41 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 29 innings in 30 appearances.

Thayer (shoulder) allowed three runs on three hits in a one-inning rehab appearance Saturday for Double-A San Antonio. Per MLB.com's Corey Brock, the team will determine Monday if they want him to pitch in at least one more rehab outing. Although the line score didn't look encouraging, he emerged from the outing free of any indication of a setback. Physically, he'll be good to go, but the team may still choose to have him see a few more batters in the minors to shake the rust off.

Thayer (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance with Double-A San Antonio on Friday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Thayer pitched pretty well in his time with the Padres earlier this season, posting a 3.41 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in 29 innings for the club. He'll likely retake a spot in the bullpen upon his return, which could be right around the corner if the rehab appearance goes well.

Thayer (shoulder) is slated to make a rehab appearance over the weekend, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports. Thayer is eligible to come off the DL on Thursday, but he'll require a longer stint than the minimum 15 days. The team hasn't provided a firm timetable, and at this point it seems likely Thayer will remain out through the All-Star break, providing him a bit of extra time to recuperate.

Thayer was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday with a right shoulder strain, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. This is the first word of a shoulder injury to Thayer, but it explains why he hasn't pitched in a week. With a backdated DL stint, Thayer will be eligible for activation as soon as July 2, but the Padres have not provided an estimated timetable for his return.

Thayer (illness) will be available out of the bullpen Tuesday against the Dodgers, Dennis Lin of the Union-Tribune reports. Thayer is said to be at less than 100 percent Tuesday, but his condition has improved from Monday where he was held out with a case of the stomach flu. With the recent shakeup to San Diego's bullpen, it remains to be seen which situations manager Bud Black will call on Thayer. However, Joaquin Benoit is the favorite to be the set-up man at this point.

Thayer (illness) was unavailable out of the bullpen Monday due to stomach flu, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports. Thayer should be considered day-to-day at this point. The Padres' bullpen struggled Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) over two combined innings of work with Thayer unavailable.