Orioles lose C.J. Riefenhauser on waiver claim

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 12, 2016, 10:08am

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C.J. Riefenhauser is on the move again.

The Cubs claimed Riefenhauser off waivers today after the Orioles designated him for assignment last week. They designated left-hander Edgar Olmos for assignment to make room for Riefenhauser.

In a strange twist, the Cubs had claimed Olmos from the Orioles on Dec. 23.

The Rays traded Riefenhauser to the Mariners on Nov. 5. The Orioles acquired Riefenhauser and first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo on Dec. 2 for catcher Steve Clevenger. Now comes today's transaction, further proof that it's never safe to unpack your suitcase.

Expected to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training, Riefenhauser was designated for assignment to create room for pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles invited Riefenhauser to minicamp last month in Sarasota, and the New York native talked about the excitement of being closer to home.

"This is my first time ever getting traded and I got traded twice in one offseason, so I don't know really how to look at it," he said. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity. Just going to go out there and compete and try to win a job.

"I'm excited. Closer to home for sure. A little bit closer to New York, where I'm from, than Seattle, so that's always nice."

Riefenhauser is headed to Arizona for spring training. His brief stay with the Orioles is over.

The camp roster still includes left-handers Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, T.J. McFarland, Chris Jones, Chris Lee, Jeff Belveau, Cesar Cabral, Andy Oliver and Ashur Tolliver.