After deciding they wouldn’t make room for Jimmy Paredes on their 25-man roster, the Orioles lost the designated hitter to the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers on Monday.
Paredes’ minor-league rehab assignment concluded on Sunday, but the offseason additions of Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo eliminated virtually all of the at-bats that were available to the 27-year-old last season as the club’s DH. After focusing on learning to play the outfield over the winter, Paredes injured his left wrist early in spring training and began the season on the 15-day disabled list.
His severe limitations in the field made him expendable as the Orioles are already carrying a few players on the roster not known for their defensive abilities. They hoped to be able to outright him to Triple-A Norfolk if he hadn’t been claimed by the Blue Jays.
The switch-hitting Paredes was arguably the story of the first half of 2015 as he hit .299 with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs, and an .807 on-base plus slugging percentage, but he struggled mightily after the All-Star break, hitting just .216 with an anemic .517 OPS. His playing time also diminished with just 107 plate appearances compared to 277 in the first half.
Monday marked the fourth time in Paredes’ career that he’s been claimed off waivers, a reflection of his intriguing tools but inability to produce consistently to this point in his career.
