Orioles outright UreÃ±a and return him to camp roster

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 23, 2020, 9:31am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - Richard UreÃ±a exited the utility competition in Orioles camp and has been dragged back into it.

Just when a player thinks he's out ...

The club announced that UreÃ±a cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He gets an invitation to spring training that bloats the camp roster to 69 players.

It was inevitable.

The Orioles designated UreÃ±a for assignment after claiming Anthony Velazquez off waivers from the Indians. Velazquez is waiting to appear in his first game.

The utility pile also includes Stevie Wilkerson, Pat Valaika, JosÃ© RondÃ³n, Dilson Herrera, RamÃ³n UrÃas and Malquin Canelo.

Only Urias and Valazquez are on the 40-man roster.

Richie Martin was a Rule 5 shortstop last season who's been taking ground balls at second base, shortstop and third base. He can be included in the competition for the sake of utility argument.

The Orioles claimed UreÃ±a off waivers from the Blue Jays on Jan. 10 before setting him free temporarily.

Meanwhile, the Orioles are holding a 3-1 lead over the Red Sox in the fifth inning. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc tossed two scoreless innings and Rule 5 pick Brandon Bailey allowed a run in the fourth and stranded two runners in scoring position in the fifth.

Chris Davis walked twice and singled before Herrera pinch-ran for him. The single was a blooper into left field.

JosÃ© Iglesias walked and singled before leaving the game.

Dwight Smith Jr. has an RBI single. Wilkerson plated a run with a ground ball and Rio Ruiz lifted a sacrifice fly.