masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles announced today that they acquired left-handed reliever Scott Barnes from the Indians for cash considerations and officially signed infielder Rey Navarro to a major league deal.

The moves leave the Orioles with 39 players on their 40-man roster.

Barnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA (31 2/3 innings, 13 earned runs). In two major league seasons in the Cleveland organization, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA (27 2/3…The Orioles announced today that they acquired left-handed reliever Scott Barnes from the Indians for cash considerations and officially signed infielder Rey Navarro to a major league deal.

The moves leave the Orioles with 39 players on their 40-man roster.

navarro-sidebar.jpgBarnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA (31 2/3 innings, 13 earned runs). In two major league seasons in the Cleveland organization, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA (27 2/3 innings, 16 earned runs) in 22 games.

The left-hander was originally selected by the Giants in the eighth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of St. John’s University.

Navarro, 24, spent 2014 in the Reds organization, splitting the season between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville. In 67 games with Pensacola, Navarro hit .271/.336/.459 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs.

The switch-hitter also played 65 games with Triple-A Louisville, batting .296/.351/.409 with a .316/.369/.439 line against right-handed pitching.

Navarro was originally selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft and has hit .265/.312/.375 in eight minor league seasons.

Orioles scouts prefer Navarro at second base, but he also can play shortstop.

Update: Of course, the Orioles made the announcements while I was driving in the freezing rain to Ocean Pines. I pulled onto the shoulder of the road and raced to file this entry before my laptop died. The battery holds a charge for about three minutes.

Here’s a quote from executive vice president Dan Duquette, sent via text, that I couldn’t include in the entry within my three-minute window:

“Barnes has a good arm and sharp slider that he uses to get out both left- and right-handed hitters. Navarro is a switch-hitting infielder who our scouts like at second base who has good on-base skills and developing power.”

Triple-A hitters batted .193 against Barnes this season, and he averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Orioles prefer Paul Janish, signed to a minor league deal and given a spring training invite, at shortstop. Navarro could be his double play partner at Triple-A Norfolk.