Duquette calls Stubbs "a good, solid, dependable defensive outfielder"

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette left open the possibility this afternoon that he could make another move before midnight. He's had ongoing talks with several teams, with pitching remaining a priority.

In the meantime, he's acquired left-hander Kyle Lobstein from the Pirates and designated the reliever for assignment a few hours later to make room for outfielder Drew Stubbs on the 40-man roster. Stubbs has been claimed off release waivers from the Rangers and will join the Orioles for Friday's series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are hoping that Lobstein and left-hander Ashur Tolliver clear waivers and stay in the organization, perhaps to be used later as the team fights to gain a playoff spot.

Stubbs plays all three outfield positions and is most familiar with center field. The Orioles have been searching for Adam Jones' backup since Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard went on the disabled list with a thumb injury. They're more comfortable playing Nolan Reimold in the corners.

Stubbs, 31, has batted .259/.343/.414 (15-for-58) with three home runs, six RBIs and eight stolen bases over 39 games between the Rangers and Braves this season. Over 881 career major league games, he's hit .244/.314/.396 with 106 doubles, 20 triples, 92 home runs, 282 RBIs and 160 steals.

The eighth-overall pick by the Reds in the 2006 draft, Stubbs has swiped more than 20 bases in a single season in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014). He stole a career-high 40 bases in 2011, which tied for second in the National League.

"He gives us a good, solid, dependable defensive outfielder," Duquette said. "He's got very good speed and he's shown versatility and good capability to play center and left. Also, a pretty good basestealer. So, it gives us a little bit more depth. Since we lost Joey Rickard we've been looking for another outfielder. Particularly one that can play center field and the other outfield positions and play good defense.

"He's got good experience and the club is very familiar with Stubbs because he was a comp to Alejandro De Aza in his arbitration case. He was the key comp, so we're very familiar with his experience and what he's capable of doing to help the team and we're glad to have him."

The Orioles beat De Aza in arbitration two spring trainings ago. Duquette grinned while bringing up the comps.

Jones' strained hamstring illustrated the Orioles' need for more outfield depth. Jones could return to the lineup on Friday.

"We've needed another defensive outfielder since Rickard's gone down and we've been trying to address that," Duquette said. "We finally found a fit today. We think and we hope that Jonesy can come back and be available to play in the next couple of days. If he's not available to play, we do have a veteran player in Stubbs that has played center field and done a good job in the American League."

Duquette explained why the Orioles sought Lobstein, only to DFA him later in the day.

"At this time of year there's a lot of players moving around and there's deadlines and you're trying not only to get your team ready, but to get your roster ready in the event that you advance to the playoffs," he said. "So, you're trying to acquire players to add to your club, but also get your roster in order so that you can make the right choices if you're successful in getting to the playoffs. That's what we're trying to accomplish there."

Duquette believes the activity sends a positive message through the clubhouse.

"I think it's important because it tells the players we're trying to add to give us the depth that we need to advance to the playoffs and it's also addressing some of the needs of the current team," he said.

Players eligible for postseason must be acquired before midnight.

"We have a couple of other discussions that we're working on. We'll see if those come to fruition," Duquette said.

"We're happy to address our outfield defense with a defender that can help us at a number of positions and also give Buck (Showalter) somebody off the bench that he can insert into the game that has a good chance to steal a base. He's got a really good success rate in stolen bases over his career."

The most significant additions will come from the disabled list, which currently holds Rickard and pitchers Chris Tillman, Darren O'Day and Brian Duensing.

"I hope so and we may have some players that come up from the farm system and make a contribution, too, so we want to see this thing through," Duquette said.

The call-ups will start on Friday, with more players added after Sept. 5.

"A couple," Duquette said. "Stubbs obviously will join us on the first and there are some other players in our minor league system that will join us, and I'm sure there will be some more players that will come up when our clubs are done playing on the fifth."

Here's the Blue Jays lineup:

Jose Bautista RF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Edwin Encarnacion 1B
Michael Saunders LF
Russell Martin C
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Dioner Navarro DH
Kevin Pillar CF
Devon Travis 2B

Aaron Sanchez RHP