Orioles designate Steve Johnson for assignment

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

December 02, 2015, 12:16pm

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The Orioles have removed two Baltimore natives from their 40-man roster.

The trade with Seattle is official. The Orioles sent catcher Steve Clevenger to the Mariners for first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo and left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser.

To make room for Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated St. Paul's graduate Steve Johnson for assignment.

"Trumbo is a proven major league run producer who will add depth and power to our lineup," said executive vice president Dan Duquette.

"Riefenhauser is a solid left-handed relief pitching prospect who will add depth to our bullpen and should contribute to the club in 2016."

Johnson, 28, allowed six earned runs in 5 1/3 innings over six games with the Orioles this season after having his contract selected in September. He's 5-1 with a 4.25 ERA in 27 major league games, including five starts.

Johnson, the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Dave Johnson, made his major league debut in 2012. He returned from shoulder surgery last year to go 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 32 games with Norfolk. He averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Orioles would like to keep Johnson in the organization, but he's drawn interest from other clubs in the past, including the Phillies, Mariners and Blue Jays.