Orioles claim infielder Alexi Casilla off waivers, outright three and reinstate five from 60-day DL

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed infielder Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Additionally, the Orioles have outrighted outfielder Lew Ford, infielder Steve Tolleson and left-hander Zach Phillips to Triple-A Norfolk and reinstated right-handers Oliver Drake and Stu Pomeranz, left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, infielder Brian Roberts and outfielder Nolan Reimold from the 60-day disabled list. Casilla, 28, played in a career-high 106 games for Minnesota in 2012, batting .241/.282/.321. He also stole 21 bases in 22 attempts. Ford, 35, batted .183/.256/.352 with three home runs in 25 games for the Orioles in 2012, his first major league action since 2007 with Minnesota. Tolleson, 29, batted .183/.227/.310 in 29 games over four stints with the Orioles in 2012. Phillips, 26, pitched to a 6.00 ERA (6.0IP, 4ER) in six games with the Orioles in 2012. He made 42 relief appearances for Triple-A Norfolk, going 2-2 with a 3.17 ERA (54.0IP, 19ER). Drake, 25, was recalled on September 29 and placed on the 60-day DL with right shoulder tendinitis. He made three starts for Double-A Bowie, going 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA (18.0IP, 3ER). Pomeranz, 27, pitched to a 3.00 ERA (6.0IP, 2ER) in three appearances for the Orioles. He was placed on the DL on May 26 with a left oblique injury. Wada, 31, had left elbow ligament replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum, on May 11 and missed the entire 2012 season. Roberts, 35, appeared in 17 games for the Orioles, batting .182/.233/.182. He ended the season on the DL with a right groin strain and had right hip surgery on August 2. Reimold, 29, batted .313/.333/.627 in 16 games for the Orioles before being placed on the DL on May 1 with a herniated disc in his neck. With these moves, the Orioles have 39 players on the 40-man roster.