Orioles assign Eshelman, Valaika, Wade to Triple-A Norfolk

According to the MLB Transactions list, the Orioles have outrighted right-handed pitchers Thomas Eshelman and Konner Wade and second baseman Pat Valaika to Triple-A Norfolk. On Friday, it was reported that they had outrighted catcher Austin Wynns to Norfolk.

All four passed through waivers by the other 29 clubs, and had previously been outrighted by the Orioles, making them eligible for free agency.

Valaika, who had been eligible for arbitration, hit .201 with five home runs and 25 RBIs and a .540 OPS in 90 games with the Orioles. In 2020, Valaika hit .277 with eight home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games.

Eshelman was 0-3 with a 7.16 ERA in nine games, six starts in 2021. In the past three seasons, Eshelman was 4-6 with a 5.77 ERA in 31 games for the Orioles.

Wade, who was signed as a minor league free agent before spring training, had an 11.68 ERA in seven games with the Orioles.

The Orioles currently have 35 players on their 40-man roster, and five players on the 60-day injured list: left-handed pitcher Keegan Akin, right-handed pitchers Hunter Harvey and Jorge López, infielder Jorge Mateo and outfielder DJ Stewart who must be returned to the 40-man roster.

Right-hander Matt Harvey, who is also on the 60-day injured list will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. Left-hander Fernando Abad will also be eligible for free agency.

Additional room must be cleared by next month enabling the Orioles to add minor leaguers eligible to be selected in December’s Rule 5 draft.