BALTIMORE — With Jimmy Paredes’ rehab assignment concluding on Sunday, Buck Showalter only hinted about his status as the Orioles concluded a four-game set with Detroit.
Comcast SportsNet and multiple outlets reported that the switch hitter was placed on waivers after Showalter indicated that a decision had already been made regarding his status, but the Baltimore manager deferred to executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette for further details.
“I don’t think I’m supposed to divulge that, right?” Showalter said. “I mean everybody knows, but I’m not [telling]. I think that’d be a good question for Dan.
“Legally, you could wait until [Monday to make a decision]. Whether or not we did, I do know.”
Paredes, 27, began the season on the 15-day disabled list after spraining his left wrist early in spring training. Since beginning his minor-league rehab assignment last month, the switch hitter has batted .308 with two home runs, nine RBIs, and an .847 on-base plus slugging percentage in 73 plate appearances split among Single-A Frederick, Double-A Bowie, and Triple-A Norfolk.
Though he’s played both corner outfield spots and third base during his rehab stint, Paredes lacks a true position, diminishing the appeal of making room for him on a 25-man roster already housing a few players with defensive limitations. Paredes hit .216 with a .517 OPS in the second half of 2015 after surprisingly holding an .807 OPS at the All-Star break.
Should he clear waivers, Paredes could be outrighted to Norfolk. He was starting at third base for the Tides on Sunday and was scheduled to go on their next road trip, according to Showalter.
