L.J. Hoes outrighted to Norfolk (plus other notes)

Outfielder L.J. Hoes has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, the latest roster move made today by the Orioles.

Hoes was designated for assignment on Jan. 26 to create room for outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro.

The Orioles acquired Hoes from the Astros on Nov. 25 for cash considerations, bringing back a player they drafted in the third round in 2008. He batted .295/.383/.400 in 99 games with Triple-A Fresno and .267/.313/.267 in eight games with the Astros last season.

Hoes, 25, is a career .237/.289/.328 hitter in parts of four major league seasons, appearing in a career-high 55 games with the Astros in 2014.

Hoes figured to at least compete for a bench spot with the Orioles, who also are unsettled in right field. They could choose to go with a platoon, their current right-handed hitting options including Mark Trumbo, Nolan Reimold, Dariel Alvarez and Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard.

Meanwhile, Severna Park native Gavin Floyd has been throwing off a mound for more than two weeks to prove that he's healthy after appearing in only seven games with the Indians last season before undergoing surgery to repair a fractured bone in his right elbow.

The Orioles contacted Floyd last month and invited him to try out at their minicamp, but he wasn't ready for a bullpen session. The Mount St. Joseph graduate had been restricted to long-tossing.

The Orioles figure to retain interest in Floyd while attempting to add more pitching depth and decide on a replacement for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.

Nationals fans probably remember Odrisamer Despaigne, acquired today by the Orioles, for the pitch on May 16, 2015 that broke Jayson Werth's left wrist.

Despaigne is 9-16 with a 4.74 ERA in 50 career games, including 34 starts, with the Padres. He's averaged only 4.9 strikeouts per nine innings. His fastball tops out in the low 90s.

Right-handers are batting .262/.310/.398 versus Despaigne and left-handers are batting .271/.343/.416. He was 6-5 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.099 WHIP in 26 games at Petco Park and 3-11 with a 6.25 ERA and 1.553 WHIP in 24 games on the road.

Trumbo is 5-for-14 with a double and home run against Despaigne. Now they might be teammates.

Hanley Ramirez is 5-for-6 against Despaigne, who was removed from San Diego's 40-man roster to make room for reliever Fernando Rodney.

The three minor league options provide the Orioles with valued flexibility as they decide whether Despaigne fits in the rotation or bullpen.

Condolences to the family of Luther A. Miracle of Baltimore, who passed away on Monday. Miracle worked for the Orioles for 55 years as a service vendor and an usher.

Miracle had 15 seasons of perfect attendance starting in the 1980s.