Díaz stays with Orioles after clearing waivers

The Lewin Díaz saga might finally be over.

The Orioles announced today that Díaz cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. He stays in the organization.

The outcome allows the Orioles to bring Díaz and Ryan O’Hearn to spring training as non-roster invites competing for the backup job at first base. O’Hearn passed through waivers last week and accepted his outright.

Díaz has been a man on the move since the season ended. It's become his unintended claim to fame.

The Marlins designated Díaz for assignment on Nov. 15 and the Pirates claimed him off waivers on the 22^nd. He was designated again on Nov. 30 and the Orioles claimed him two days later.

Stability couldn't touch him.

The Orioles designated Díaz on Dec. 21 and traded him to the Braves two days later for cash considerations. Atlanta designated him on Dec. 28, the Orioles made another waiver claim on Jan. 5 and they designated him Wednesday while acquiring reliever Darwinzon Hernandez from the Red Sox for cash.

Five DFAs and one trade before Díaz became settled.

Left-handed hitters were an offseason priority for the Orioles and they wanted to provide more rest for first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. The Dominican native, who received a $1.4 million bonus from the Twins as part of their 2013-14 international signing class, is a plus defender who’s batted .181/.227/.340 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs, 27 RBIs, 19 walks and 99 strikeouts in 112 games and 343 plate appearances over the past three seasons.

Díaz slashed .169/.224/.288 last year with four doubles, five homers, 11 RBIs, 11 walks and 54 strikeouts in 58 games during three stints with the Marlins.

Seems like a lifetime ago.