masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles today announced that they have claimed infielder Russ Canzler off waivers from the Yankees. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, catcher Luis Martinez has been designated for assignment.

Canzler, 26, is a career .278/.347/.472 hitter in nine minor league seasons with the Cubs, Tampa Bay and Cleveland. He has hit .271/.304/.396 in 29 major league games in 2011 (Tampa Bay) and 2012 (Cleveland). In 31 major league plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Canzler has hit…The Orioles today announced that they have claimed infielder Russ Canzler off waivers from the Yankees. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, catcher Luis Martinez has been designated for assignment.

Canzler, 26, is a career .278/.347/.472 hitter in nine minor league seasons with the Cubs, Tampa Bay and Cleveland. He has hit .271/.304/.396 in 29 major league games in 2011 (Tampa Bay) and 2012 (Cleveland). In 31 major league plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Canzler has hit .400/.419/.667.

Martinez, 27, is a career .272/.362/.364 hitter in six minor league seasons in the San Diego (2007-11) and Texas (2012) systems. In 2012, Martinez batted .270/.350/.386 in 65 games with Triple-A Round Rock and also appeared in 10 games for the Rangers, going 2-for-18. He was originally drafted by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft.