BALTIMORE — The Orioles swapped out reserve infielders Tuesday by selecting the contract of Ruben Tejada and designating Paul Janish for assignment prior to the series opener against Pittsburgh.
Tejada, 27, was acquired from the New York Yankees organization in exchange for cash considerations Sunday and will now serve as the utility infielder with Ryan Flaherty still on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain and waiting to be cleared to begin throwing again in Sarasota. Orioles manager Buck Showalter expressed hope that Janish would remain with the organization after clearing waivers.
Famously known for having his leg broken by a controversial slide from Chase Utley in the 2015 National League Division Series, Tejada has spent time with the New York Mets, St. Louis, and San Francisco in his major league career. He had been playing at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees system to begin the 2017 season. Tejada batted just .167 in 78 plate appearances split between the Cardinals and the Giants last year.
In seven major league seasons, the right-handed Tejada has batted .252 with 10 home runs, 153 runs batted in, and a .647 on-base plus slugging percentage in 2,263 career plate appearances. He has primarily played shortstop in his major league career, but he has also seen action at second base and third base.
NOTES: Catcher Welington Castillo took batting practice early Tuesday afternoon as he continues to recover from a testicular injury sustained last week. He is eligible to be activated from the 10-day DL as early as Saturday, but it’s undetermined whether he will go on a minor-league rehab assignment or simply play in a sim game or two. … Manny Machado fell to third place among American League third basemen in the latest 2017 All-Star Game voting update. Minnesota’s Miguel Sano is now leading the way at the position while Jose Ramirez of Cleveland is second. Welington Castillo is second among AL catchers and Adam Jones ranks 12th among AL outfielders. … On Tuesday, the Orioles began a stretch of 20 straight games without a day off. They will not have another break until June 26.
