Orioles select Bemboom's contract, Tate to play in WBC

The Orioles made an adjustment to their 40-man roster on the first day of their offseason.

Catcher Anthony Bemboom’s contract was selected this afternoon from Triple-A Norfolk, and right-hander Anthony Castro was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Bemboom didn’t play for the Orioles after No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman arrived on May 21. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Norfolk six days later.

The Orioles signed Bemboom to a minor league contract and he broke camp with the team, beating out Jacob Nottingham as the backup to veteran Robinson Chirinos. He appeared in 22 games and went 6-for-52 (.115) with two doubles and a home run.

Bemboom threw out three of eight runners attempting to steal.

Today’s transaction prevents Bemboom from becoming a minor league free agent. Now he’ll try to make it through the winter on the 40-man roster.

Chirinos is a pending free agent, and Bemboom could compete again for the backup job next spring.

Cam Gallagher also is on the 40-man roster, and the Orioles always sign at least one catcher to a minor league deal over the winter.

The Orioles selected Castro off waivers from the Guardians on Sept. 3, but he didn't pitch for them. He allowed two runs in 8 1/3 innings in eight relief appearances with the Tides, walking six batters and striking out eight.

* Major League Baseball announced today that Orioles reliever Dillon Tate will pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Tate, 28, just concluded his best season the majors, leading the club with 67 appearances and posting a 3.05 ERA and 0.991 WHIP in 73 2/3 innings. His five saves ranked second to Félix Bautista’s 15, and his 2.0 walks per nine innings were the lowest of his four seasons.

Tate, who’s also the Orioles’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, joins center fielder Cedric Mullins on the Team USA roster. Starter Dean Kremer will represent Team Israel.

The WBC is scheduled to run from March 8-21.