Orioles outright Lavarnway

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

January 16, 2015, 10:48am

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Catcher Ryan Lavarnway has finally cleared waivers.

The Orioles announced today that Lavarnway has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after they designated him for assignment on Jan. 9 to create room for outfielder Delmon Young on the 40-man roster.

Lavarnway was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Dec. 23. He previously was selected off waivers by the Dodgers on Dec. 5 and the Cubs on Dec. 19.

Teams kept claiming Lavarnway until this week.

Lavarnway, 27, batted .283/.389/.370 in 62 games for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2014. He's hit .201/.249/.315 with five home runs in 301 major league plate appearances since 2011.

Manager Buck Showalter said he may bring seven catchers to spring training, in case Matt Wieters isn't ready for opening day following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Showalter was including Lavarnway on the list.

The 40-man roster includes Wieters, Caleb Joseph, Steve Clevenger and Michael Ohlman. The Orioles signed J.P. Arencibia to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, and Showalter would like to bring Triple-A catcher Brian Ward to camp.