Showalter on Jackson's arrival and Hart's departure

Paul Janish has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, allowing the Orioles to maintain their infield depth.

The Orioles designated Janish for assignment yesterday while selecting Rubén Tejada's contract from Norfolk.

Edwin Jackson spoke at his locker for about six minutes today, happy to be back in the majors after finding out about an hour after last night's game at Gwinnett that the Orioles were selecting his contract.

Jackson can be used in many ways, including long man out of the bullpen or in the later innings. He's been stretched to three innings at Norfolk and also picked up two saves.

"Edwin Jackson's a veteran pitcher, been very durable over his career and he's pitched effectively in a lot of different roles in the big leagues," said executive vice president Dan Duquette.du

"Every major league team needs a swing man, a pitcher who can be available to spot start or relieve in different roles. And I think Edwin can do all those roles for us."

Jackson is pitching for his 12th team in 15 seasons, his fifth since 2015.

"There's a reason why Edwin's pitched as long as he has," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's a professional and I feel good because Roger (McDowell) has had him. He comes in with a lot of experience, a guy that we hope can do a job that needs to be done in the American League.

"Obviously, he got a late start, so we had to wait and make sure that he had gotten beyond spring training. And it was time. We'll see if he can do his job for us. He's certainly done it in the past. He brings an element that we're in need of.

"We hope it lets us kind of settle down our bullpen a little bit."

Maybe the shuttle can be shut down for a while.

"All pitchers have their dents in their armor, but there's also a reason why they're around so long," Showalter said. "Knock on wood, Edwin's been, I don't want to say 'rubber arm,' but a guy who can almost pitch every day. Walk in 20 minutes before game time and say, 'So and so is sick and you're starting tonight,' and he's ready. His reputation is really good in baseball. People that have had him all speak positively of him.

"I like that fact that Roger had him last year. A lot of times as a guy gets older, sometimes they're not the same guy, but he presented himself like that down there. And I know a lot of the pitchers down there, the young guys, really liked talking to him about pitching and the reality of the big leagues. That's a big thing."

Showalter said he could use Jackson much as he did Alec Asher before the right-hander moved into the rotation.

"I think you'd look at it kind of like a utility infielder," Showalter said. "I think he can handle a lot of different roles. We've been talking about it for a while. We were just trying to finish it off a little bit down there.

"Maybe more like (Asher) as opposed to what we saw with (Vance) Worley. Vance was more long and extended and could pitch two or three innings and come back and give you a couple outs the next day.

"I've seen him from the other dugout. I'm going to lean on Roger and Edwin a little bit. I know there are a lot of people in that locker room who have a prior relationship with him that are really excited that he's here."

Left-hander Donnie Hart was optioned again to Norfolk. He's posted a 4.32 ERA in 23 appearances and opponents are batting .314 against him.

Hart has been challenged to pitch better and earn a return to the Orioles. Same with anyone else who's optioned or outrighted. The message is delivered by Showalter as well as Tides manager Ron Johnson.

"R.J. had a meeting the other day with the guys in Triple-A," Showalter said. "There's a reason why someone like (Stefan) Crichton comes back. They go down there and they do real well. He spent one day going down and pitched the day he got there and pitched two or three shutout innings, and has done it again and again. That's what makes you want to bring them back.

"They control it, really. Guys sitting down there with five, six and seven ERAs, it's hard to have a lot of confidence about bringing them back. They need to pitch well at that level. That's how it works, right? It's supposed to, but unfortunately, sometimes you get caught in a little bit of a bind.

"There's some guys down there that should be pitching better at that level than they are. I know R.J. kind of delivered that message the other day. It was there for all of them. We used Crichton as a good example and I mentioned that to Donnie. Donnie needs to get back to some of the things he was doing to be successful. He's a guy who basically skipped the Triple-A level, so it will be good for him to establish himself down there."

Left-handers are hitting .300 against Hart after posting a .132 average last summer.

"He understands the job description," Showalter said. "It's tough, but it's also pretty well defined and he's done it at times for us this year and will again. I have confidence that he will again."

Here are some quotes from Jackson after he arrived today at Camden Yards.