Efren Navarro designated for assignment

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 25, 2016, 2:35am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have designated outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro for assignment to make room for pitcher Yovani Gallardo on the 40-man roster.

The Gallardo deal is official. The Orioles issued the news release and are setting up his press conference in the media workroom.

Gallardo will be in uniform and participate in his first workout today as the tarp comes off the Camden Yards replica field following yesterday's series of storms.

Since 2009, Gallardo ranks seventh in games started (223), 12th in victories (93) and strikeouts (1226), and 15th in innings pitched (1,339 1/3). In six career postseason appearances (five starts), he's gone 2-2 with a 2.32 ERA over 31 innings.

Navarro, 29, was acquired from the Angels on Jan. 26 in exchange for cash considerations. He hit .253/.295/.301 with four doubles and five RBIs in 54 games with the Angels last season.

The Orioles praised his defensive skills at first base after obtaining him, but they have Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo on the roster.

Another 40-man move is coming when outfielder Dexter Fowler passes his physical.

The camp roster now includes 31 pitchers.

Today's press conference will air live on MASN at 1:30 p.m.

The sun rises over the Ed Smith Stadium complex as the grounds crew removes the tarp from the field.