Orioles claim Vance Worley off waivers

The Orioles have claimed right-hander Vance Worley off waivers from the Pirates and designated reliever Jorge Rondon for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster.

Worley, 28, went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 23 games, including eight starts, with the Pirates in 2015. He posted a 2.83 ERA, allowing nine earned runs in 28 2/3 innings, and held opponents to a .236 average in his 15 relief appearances.

In 104 career games, including 81 starts, Worley has gone 31-28 with a 3.79 ERA in 508 2/3 innings over parts of six seasons.

Worley went 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 25 games (21 starts) for the Phillies in 2011. They selected him in the third round of the 2008 draft.

In his only season in the American League, Worley went 1-5 with a 7.21 ERA in 10 starts with the Twins in 2013. He registered a 1.993 WHIP in 48 2/3 innings.

The Pirates purchased Worley's contract from the Twins on March 25, 2014 and he went 8-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 18 games (17 starts).

They designated him for assignment on July 30, 2015, and he accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis. He returned to the 40-man roster in September.

Worley had Super Two status last winter and holds three more years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent in 2019. He made $2.45 million this season.

"Vance has had a couple good years," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "He's durable, he's a good competitor, he's got good control. He's just a dependable major league pitcher. He's been pretty steady.

"He was third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2011. He had an excellent year, and then a pretty good year in 2012 and again in 2014 with the Pirates. He's an improved pitcher. He's got better control now and keeps the ball in the ballpark."

The Orioles haven't defined a role for Worley. He could get a chance to start in spring training or be used as a multi-inning reliever.

"More recently, he's been in relief, but that will be determined," Duquette said. "But he's dependable for innings."

Rondon, 27, went 0-1 with a 13.19 ERA in 10 games between the Orioles and Rockies in 2015. He allowed 21 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Duquette said the Orioles are making "good progress" with the coaching staff, but he doesn't expect an announcement today. I confirmed on Friday that bench coach John Russell (two years), hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, third base coach Bobby Dickerson and bullpen coach Dom Chiti are signed for the 2016 season.