Valaika rejoins Orioles on waiver claim, Kline DFA

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

January 30, 2020, 9:31am

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If you missed the first Pat Valaika era with the Orioles, and were disappointed when the infielder was designated for assignment on Jan. 16, you'll be happy to hear that he's rejoining the club.

Valaika was selected off waivers from the Diamondbacks this afternoon, the Orioles announced, after he was designated for assignment on Monday when Arizona needed a roster spot for the recently acquired Starling Marte.

Valaika was claimed off waivers from the Rockies by the Orioles on Oct. 30.

Everything old is new again.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Valaika, 27, the Orioles have designated right-hander Branden Kline for assignment. Valaika had been DFA when the Orioles added infielder Richard UreÃ±a.

Kline, 28, finally reached the majors last season and went 1-4 with a 5.93 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 34 appearances out of the bullpen. In 21 games between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, the Fredrick native was 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA and 1.79 WHIP.

The Orioles will hope Kline goes unclaimed and can be outrighted to Norfolk, where he would function as a depth piece. It's a process they've employed with some success since the arrival of executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias joined the front office in November 2018.

Valaika primarily plays shortstop and second base, but has also appeared at the infield corners and left field. He is a career .214/.256/.400 hitter in parts of four seasons with the Rockies.

He immediately becomes another candidate to be a reserve middle infielder, joining Richie Martin, UreÃ±a, Stevie Wilkerson, JosÃ© RondÃ³n and Dilson Herrera.