Pitcher Alex Burnett is here and talks about joining the Orioles

The newest Oriole is Alex Burnett, who joined the club today from Triple-A Norfolk. He takes the roster spot of Jake Arrieta, who was optioned to the Tides. The Orioles claimed the 25-year-old right-hander off waivers from Toronto on April 12 and he had pitched in three games with the Tides, going 3 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Burnett. He was with the Twins the last three seasons, but was claimed off waivers by Toronto on March 29. Then he was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on April 12. He was designated for assignment by the Jays. "I'm excited to have this opportunity and join this ballclub," Burnett said. "Even though I was let go by the Twins and claimed by two teams in two weeks, people like the way that I pitch and have faith in me. It reassures me I can still pitch to this level. "I'm very fortunate a club like the Orioles took a chance on me and claimed me off waivers. I felt that way when Toronto did that and they let me go within two weeks. I took it the best I could and will pitch the best I can when I get a chance. "I actually had a terrible spring with the Twins. Still when they let me go it was kind of a shock. I was working on some mechanical issues and it was getting better toward the end (of spring). I guess it was too little, too late." When Burnett spoke with reporters a few minutes ago, he had not even yet met with manager Buck Showalter. Burnett provide a scouting report on his pitching. "I like to go right after guys. I'll pitch in and like to attack the strike zone, go after them, make them put the ball in play and let the defense do the work," he said. Burnett went 3-4 with a 4.61 ERA in 174 major league games with Minnesota from 2010-12. In eight minor league seasons in the Twins and Blue Jays systems, Burnett was 28-24 with a 3.40 ERA over 522 innings. The Twins selected Burnett in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. Burnett said he knows a few players already with the club including J.J. Hardy, Alexi Casilla, Tommy Hunter and Chris Tillman, who played high school ball near him.