Orioles claim Jace Peterson off waivers

The Orioles addressed their need for infield depth this afternoon by claiming utility player Jace Peterson off waivers from the Yankees.

Peterson will report to the club on Wednesday. In the meantime, pitcher Gabriel Ynoa has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster.

Infielder Tim Beckham is expected to go on the 10-day disabled list with a groin injury. He would join second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who's sidelined with a strained right oblique. Infielder Engelb Vielma has been summoned to Baltimore and could be recalled today if the Orioles choose to put Beckham on the DL.

Vielma might be here for only one day with Peterson joining the organization. The Orioles can provide more clarity to the situation later today.

Lots of moving parts.

The club has held interest in Peterson, a left-handed hitter, throughout the season, and the Yankees designated him for assignment for the second time earlier this week. They signed him to a major league contract on April 16, one week after designating him, and he's on the move again.

Peterson, who turns 28 on May 9, is a career .234/.319/.331 hitter in parts of five seasons with the Padres, Braves and Yankees. He started in left field for the Yankees on April 7-8 during their series against the Orioles in the Bronx.

The Orioles could use a player with experience at all four infield positions as well as the outfield, and Peterson fits the mold. He's made 234 starts at second base, which Schoop has vacated, and 15 at third, where Danny Valencia has been used while Beckham shifted to the other side of the diamond.

"Peterson is a versatile player who has experience playing all over the field and who had his best year in 2015 playing second base," executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message. "Given our need and his experience he should be able to contribute to the O's."

The Padres made Peterson the 58th overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of McNeese State University and he was included in the package sent to the Braves in December 2014 for outfielder Justin Upton. His nickname is "Petey" if you happen to run into him.