The Orioles have designated outfielder Craig Gentry, per MLB.com’s Britt Ghiroli (via Twitter). He’ll be replaced on the active roster by fellow outfielder Joey Rickard.
Meanwhile, the club also outrighted right-hander Jhan Marinez after activating him from the 10-day DL. He has been assigned to Triple-A after clearing waivers.
Gentry, 34, has seen a decent amount of action in a reserve role for the Baltimore organization over the past two seasons. All told, he carries a .265/.326/.362 batting line in 286 plate appearances with the O’s.
That output falls right in line with Gentry’s career numbers at the plate. In parts of ten seasons in the majors, he’s an 85 wRC+ hitter. That’s not really enough bat to warrant the playing time he has received (602 games). But Gentry has long graded as a high-quality defender and baserunner.
As for Marinez, 30, he has bounced around quite a bit in recent seasons. He struggled mightily in eight MLB appearances this year, but was better when pitching at the club’s top affiliate. In 47 2/3 innings for Norfolk, he owns a 3.21 ERA with 9.6 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9.
Not that losing Gentry is anything to get too terribly upset about it, but I feel like there had to have been lesser players on Baltimore’s 40-man. Mildly surprised no team was willing to give up scraps to add a good defender and baserunner with a not terrible bat for the stretch run.
He’s 34. Why would you want to take out a younger who might flip the switch over a guy who’s switch is stuck in the off position?
Gentry can help a playoff team when rosters expands. He’s a defensive replacement and pinch runner. Not two things the orioles need to spend a 40 man roster on anymore. We need to see what we have in AAA.
Same went for Valencia. Surprised no one wanted to trade some random single a guy for a nice lefty bat.
And by lefty bat I meant he hits lefties well, I know he is right handed.
Gentry’s value in the eyes the Orioles is really amazing to me. I can see trying to talk him up to potentially get some for him but come on. And what’s the use of Dfa’ing anyone at this point? The rosters are about to expand.