Orioles drop McLemore, get down to 25

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles released utility infielder Mark McLemore at his own request and put three players on the disabled list to pare the roster down to 25.

Signed to a minor league contract in February, McLemore hurt his right knee in an exhibition game and left the team to undergo surgery. Instead of starting the season on the disabled list without a major league contract, he opted to be released.

McLemore agreed to a one-year contract with Oakland on Sunday. The Athletics don't expect him to be available until late April and immediately placed him on the 15-day DL, a move retroactive to March 26.

Baltimore also purchased the minor league contracts of non-roster invitees B.J. Surhoff, Luis Lopez and Keith Osik and put several players on the disabled list: left-hander Omar Daal (left shoulder surgery), second baseman Jerry Hairston (fractured right finger) and outfielder Marty Cordova (elbow injury).

Outfielder Darnell McDonald was sent to Triple-A Ottawa, and Baltimore reassigned RHP Aaron Rakers, RHP Darwin Cubillan and catcher Carlos Mendez to the minor league camp.

Right-hander John Stephens, who was optioned to Ottawa on March 19, was designated for assignment.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe
• Print
• Comments0