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The depth moves keep coming from the Orioles.
They aren’t solely geared toward making big splashes. Smaller transactions are trickling in, as well.
A source confirmed today that the Orioles claimed infielder Marco Luciano, 24, on waivers from the Pirates. A full 40-man roster will require a corresponding move to make him fit.
The holiday slowdown kept Luciano in limbo since the Pirates designated him for assignment on Dec. 19. They selected him on waivers from the Giants on the 5th.
Luciano appeared in 41 major league games with San Francisco from 2023-24, batting .217/.286/.304 in 126 plate appearances. Baseball America previously had ranked him among its top 15 minor league players when he was a teenager.
The raw power didn’t flash during his stints with the Giants. He spent 2025 with Triple-A Sacramento, appearing in 125 games and batting .214/.335/.413 with 21 doubles, 23 home runs and 66 RBIs.
Luciano is a career .246/.355/.445 hitter in six minor league seasons, with 86 doubles, nine triples, 88 home runs and 297 RBIs in 500 games. He’s walked 302 times and struck out 598.
As far as his defensive versatility, Luciano has played shortstop and second base in the majors and also left field in the minors, along with one start at first base. Shortstop is his primary position.
The Orioles don’t have many true utility candidates on their roster. Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg were drafted as shortstops and can back up Gunnar Henderson. Jeremiah Jackson has mostly played shortstop in the minors and will try to win a job in camp. He only played third base and right field last summer with the Orioles.
Luciano is out of minor league options and would have to pass through waivers again before the Orioles could outright him.
MLB writer Francys Romero first reported the waiver claim. The Orioles haven’t made an announcement.
Update: The Orioles announced the Luciano claim and designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment.
"Big Christmas" had a small stay in the organization.
Also, left-hander Josh Walker cleared outright waivers and has been assigned to Norfolk.
