Almanzar returned to Red Sox

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

July 01, 2014, 10:19am

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It took almost seven months before the Orioles surrendered their pick from the 2013 Rule 5 draft. The Orioles returned infielder Michael Almanzar to the Red Sox today. Both teams confirmed the transaction on Twitter. Almanzar, 23, joined the organization during the Winter Meetings on Dec. 12. The Orioles placed him on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 23, with left patellar tendinitis and transferred him to the 60-day DL on June 6. Yesterday, the Orioles announced that they reinstated Almanzar from the 60-day DL and designated him for assignment. No team put in a waiver claim and he was offered back to the Red Sox this afternoon The Red Sox can option Almanzar to the minors now that his Rule 5 status has ended. Almanzar appeared in a total of nine games with three Orioles affiliates - the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League team, Single-A Frederick and Triple-A Norfolk. He went 5-for-32 with three doubles, one home run and four RBIs. The knee injury occurred while Almanzar was playing first base in an exhibition game.