Jace Peterson on his "wild ride" that led him to the Orioles

As he joins his fourth major league team today, Jace Peterson will hit the ground running for the Orioles. He's going right into the starting lineup tonight, batting ninth at second base.

Since opening day he has been called up by the New York Yankees, designated for assignment by New York, re-signed by the Yankees, DFA'd again and claimed on waivers by the Orioles. All that happened in a 16-day span.

"Definitely been a wild ride," Peterson said this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse. "But I'm excited to be here and excited about what they've got going on over here. And the guys that they have in this clubhouse. Feels good to get somewhere and hopefully can stick (here)."

Peterson was officially added to the 25-man roster today, taking the roster spot of infielder Tim Beckham. Beckham, who is likely headed for surgery, goes on the 10-day DL retroactive to April 24 with a left groin strain.

Peterson went 3-for-10 for the Yankees and made one nice defensive play in left field against the Orioles. In 89 games for Atlanta last season, he hit .215/.318/.317.

A career .234/.319/.331 batter, the 27-year-old Peterson was drafted No. 58 overall by San Diego in 2011. He was with Atlanta for three seasons and has joined the Yankees and Orioles this year.

"You know, for me, I'm a guy who wants to get on base," Peterson said. "I want to get on base for this team, obviously play good defense, be a good teammate and contribute to some wins. My skillset is I can run, I get on base and whatever the situation calls for, just do my job. Keep the line moving, play hard and try to get some wins.

"For me anywhere I go I want to make an impression. I want to play hard and play well. Any time you can get off to a hot start, that always helps your case. I'm prepared, I'm ready and looking forward to the game."

After New York designated him the first time on April 10, Peterson garnered some interest from the Orioles. Now, after the second DFA, he has joined the team.

"I had other opportunities (after the first DFA) but at that moment, that was the best spot for me to go," he said. "So I signed back there, was there for another week and got DFAd again.

"My previous DFA, I knew there was some interest there and knew it (Baltimore) was a possible place to end up. Once this process went, I was hoping they would step in and claim me. I'm pretty excited about this opportunity."

Peterson, who will wear jersey No. 29, can play second, third and corner outfield. He is more in the Ryan Flaherty mold of a utility player. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that with Beckham headed to the DL today, that Peterson may initially see most of his action at second base. But Peterson is ready for anything.

"For right now I think I could be all over the place. I'm playing second tonight. I'll just get my work everywhere and be ready to go when my number is called. I know some of the guys here, I played with Cash (pitcher Andrew Cashner) when I first got called up to San Diego. I'm excited to get on the field, play with these guys and get some wins," he said.