Orioles claim Phelps on waivers

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

November 25, 2013, 9:51am

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We have another roster move. Try to keep up. The Orioles announced that they claimed switch-hitting infielder Cord Phelps off waivers from the Indians. Phelps, 26, appeared in 53 games for the Indians over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-for-113) with two homers and 11 RBIs. He played second base, third base and shortstop. Phelps batted .267/.333/.443 (68-for-255) with nine homers and 46 RBIs in 65 games for Triple-A Columbus this year and went 0-for-9 in four games for Cleveland. The Indians chose Phelps in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Stanford University. He was designated for assignment last week. In his six minor league seasons, Phelps has batted .283/.370/.439 with 53 homers and 300 RBIs in 582 games. My guess is Phelps, who isn't arbitration-eligible until 2017, will compete for a utility job. Perhaps he will be the 2014 version of Alexi Casilla. Or he'll be starting at Triple-A Norfolk, in which case, he will be the 2014 version of Yamaico Navarro or Niuman Romero. It's a depth move, folks. The Orioles now have 38 players on the 40-man roster.