The Orioles have assigned right-handed pitchers Thomas Eshelman and Konner Wade and second baseman Pat Valaika to Triple-A Norfolk, according to the MLB Transactions list. On Friday, it was reported that they also had assigned catcher Austin Wynns to Norfolk.
The moves reduce the Orioles’ 40-man roster to 35 players.
All four passed through waivers by the other 29 clubs and, since they had previously been put on outright waivers by the Orioles, they are eligible for free agency.
Valaika, who had been eligible for arbitration, hit .201 with five home runs and 25 RBIs and a .540 OPS in 90 games with the Orioles. In 2020, Valaika hit .277 with eight home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games.
Eshelman was 0-3 with a 7.16 ERA in nine games, six starts in 2021. In the past three seasons, Eshelman is 4-6 with a 5.77 ERA in 31 games for the Orioles.
Wade, who was signed as a minor league free agent before spring training, had an 11.68 ERA in seven games with the Orioles.
The Orioles have five players on the 60-day injured list — left-handed pitcher Keegan Akin, right-handed pitchers Hunter Harvey and Jorge López, infielder Jorge Mateo and outfielder DJ Stewart — who must be returned to the 40-man roster.
Right-hander Matt Harvey, who is also on the 60-day injured list, will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. Left-hander Fernando Abad also will be eligible for free agency.
Additional room must be cleared by next month to allow the Orioles to add minor leaguers eligible to be selected in December’s Rule 5 draft.
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Valaika to Norfolk. Not good--too close to Baltimore.
99% probability Valaika becomes a free agent after the World Series then you'll have to find another player to dis
He’s not the one that goes BSC over Valaika…lol…go O’s…
Valaika wearing #11, a kick between the legs to Doud DeCinces!
Oops there it is, there it is…go O’s…
Much more dead wood can be trimmed! Not a good sign when nobody else wants your junk!
Hi Buzz! Per the MLB dot com transaction list, all of three players have been claimed in October 2021, including Zack Burdi claimed by Arizona from the Orioles, but go on...
Valaika, Wade, Eschelman all unclaimed, what do you not understand???
Hi Buzz! I don't understand what I'd like to call "the BuzzStandard" which to put succinctly is defined as "Buzz expects to the Orioles to out perform all other MLB teams in terms of players claimed when put through waivers" Okay that wasn't succinct...
According to MLB dot com transaction list, so far in October 2021, 58 players have been put through waivers. Of those 58 players, only 3 have been claimed - so 5.1% players waived have been claimed. The Orioles have waived 6 players and 1 has been claimed - 16.7% of Orioles waived have been claimed.
Ispo facto - a higher percentage of Orioles "junk" have been claimed than the league average, so give it a rest please.
Not true. Over the last 12 months, the Orioles have had more players clear waivers than any other organization by far, now, I will rest!
Orioles Mesa Solar Sox Arizona Fall League stats through 8 games played
Batting
Y. Diaz 222/440/500/940 with 7 BB/5 SO in 25 PA
Cullen 143/400/571/971, 3 BB/0 SO, 10 PA
R Rodriguez 273/429/273/701, 2 BB/2 SO, 14 PA
Stowers 200/300/333/633, 2 BB/6 SO, 12 PA
Pitching
Bishop 1.2 IP 3 BB 2 SO 1.800 WHIP 0.00 ERA (1 game)
Gillaspie 2.1 IP 0 BB 5 SO 0.000 WHIP 0.00 ERA (1 game)
Loeprich 3 IP 1 BB 2 SO 2.000 WHIP 9.00 ERA (1 game)
Vespi 4 IP 3 BB 6 SO 1.500 WHIP 0.00 ERA (3 games)
Hummer, that was a very timely piece as I was wondering how they were doing. I have particular interest in Stowers and I gotta say, 6 Ks in 12 PA, not what will get him to Baltimore any time soon. I know, I know Ks are not that big a deal in MLB any more but K’ing at a 50% rate is not gonna cut it, even in today’s game. Thanks for the info.
I wouldn't worry about any statistic from just 12 plate appearances ... on the other hand, those who are eager for the Orioles part ways with Mancini and Santander should realize that even top prospects like Stowers are not guaranteed to be productive at the major league level.
Birdman, I agree and normally I wouldn’t but I know he K’d at a high rate this past season and this, the Arizona Fall League, well, he’s not exactly facing MLB caliber pitching there. I said at the time it was announced he’d be playing there that I thought he’d be better off getting some well deserved rest after playing at 3 different levels this past season.
So the "Cheaters" beat the "Tankers" and the insensitive chanting Braves beat the highest spending - the most injured Dodgers to go to the World Series. Thank God for the NFL, NBA and NHL!!!
By the way, the Orioles need to clear a lot more if they need to add all the next wave of players to protect for the Rules 5 draft: DL Hall, Kyle Bradish, Kevin Smith, Blaine Knight, Cody Sedlock and Ofelky Peralta; infielders Terrin Vavra, Adam Hall, Patrick Dorrian and Cadyn Grenier; and outfielder Robert Neustrom.
Teams passed on Sedlock and Peralta last winter.