More on Rapada

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

January 26, 2011, 11:56am

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Clay Rapada will compete for a left-handed relief role with the Orioles, but the Triple-A Norfolk Tides will gladly welcome him to Harbor Park if he's reassigned. Rapada, 29, is a Portsmouth, Va., native who pitched at Virginia State University. He won't hurt attendance. Rapada posted a 4.00 ERA in 13 games with the Texas Rangers in 2010, his third team since the Chicago Cubs signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2002. The Tides put out a release with more information on Rapada, in case you didn't feel like looking it up. Rapada made his major league debut on June 14, 2007. The Cubs traded him to the Detroit Tigers following the season for outfielder Craig Monroe. Rapada made 32 appearances in parts of three seasons, including 25 in 2008. In 46 major league games, Rapada is 3-0 with a 4.71 ERA and has held left-handers to a .186 average. Right-handers are hitting .292 against him. That's why he's regarded as a left-handed specialist. Rapada is 26-22 with a 2.77 ERA and 56 saves in the minors. He hasn't allowed a run in 5 1/3 career innings at Harbor Park. I sense a bobblehead night. It's far more likely that Joe Beimel makes the club out of spring training if the Orioles can sign him to a minor league deal, but Rapada will provide some competition.