masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles added catcher Steve Clevenger to their taxi squad this afternoon. A player can stay on it for 24 hours before being added to the 25-man roster or returned to the minors.

The Norfolk Tides announced the move, which has been confirmed, while activating right-hander Robert Coello from the temporarily inactive list.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that the Orioles could send down a starting pitcher and call up a position player because the minor league season ends Sept. 1…The Orioles added catcher Steve Clevenger to their taxi squad this afternoon. A player can stay on it for 24 hours before being added to the 25-man roster or returned to the minors.

The Norfolk Tides announced the move, which has been confirmed, while activating right-hander Robert Coello from the temporarily inactive list.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that the Orioles could send down a starting pitcher and call up a position player because the minor league season ends Sept. 1 and the club wouldn’t need to wait the minimum 10 days to recall an optioned player.

Kevin Gausman starts tonight against the Rays and is a candidate to be sent down after the game, though the Orioles certainly could go in another direction.

Clevenger, a Baltimore native, is batting .305/.366/.389 with 13 doubles, two homers and 30 RBIs in 64 games with Norfolk. The 28-year-old batted .240/.296/.373 with eight doubles, a triple and eight RBIs in 26 games with the Orioles this season.

Clevenger has professional experience at catcher, first base, second base and third base. He could serve as a backup at first on top of being the third catcher while Chris Davis is starting at third with Manny Machado out. Clevenger also would provide the Orioles with a much-needed left-handed bat.