Report: Orioles trying hard to get Cashner

Desperate to bolster their rotation before the trade deadline, the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly ramping up their efforts to acquire pitcher Andrew Cashner from the San Diego Padres.

Sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the Orioles are "trying hard" to get the coveted right-hander, who's also being pursued by the Miami Marlins and Texas Rangers.

The Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants were among several other teams believed to be interested in the 29-year-old starter, though both clubs reportedly value him more as a reliever.

On Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Padres were making progress on a trade involving Cashner, and that the Giants were still involved in active discussions.

Cashner had pitched well recently ahead of his latest start in Toronto, where he allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. Rosenthal speculates the Padres could wait until the deadline to deal Cashner, whose next start isn't scheduled until Monday.

The AL East-leading Orioles entered Thursday with the sixth-highest rotation ERA in baseball at 4.94, and have reportedly made starting pitching a priority as they attempt to stave off division rivals Toronto and Boston. Earlier this week, multiple reports indicated Baltimore right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez was headed to San Diego in exchange for Melvin Upton Jr., who was acquired by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.