masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMINNESOTA – The Orioles selected the contract of Triple-A Norfolk second baseman Johnny Giavotella today and optioned left-hander Jayson Aquino to the Tides, giving them an extra position player.
First baseman/outfielder David Washington was designated for assignment to make room for Giavotella on the 40-man roster.
Giavotella is batting .306/.368/.441 with 22 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 45 RBIs in 83 games. His defense limitations have kept him from being used in a utility role…

MINNESOTA – The Orioles selected the contract of Triple-A Norfolk second baseman Johnny Giavotella today and optioned left-hander Jayson Aquino to the Tides, giving them an extra position player.

Giavotella-Hitting-White-Sidebar.jpgFirst baseman/outfielder David Washington was designated for assignment to make room for Giavotella on the 40-man roster.

Giavotella is batting .306/.368/.441 with 22 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 45 RBIs in 83 games. His defense limitations have kept him from being used in a utility role with the Orioles, but they want his bat on the roster.

For how long remains to be seen. Giavotella basically takes Chris Tillman’s roster spot while the right-hander is on paternity leave.

Giavotella, signed to a minor league deal on Feb. 2, was the Angels’ opening day second baseman for two seasons. He’ll wear No. 15 with the Orioles.

Washington struck out in five of his six at-bats with the Orioles before they optioned him. He was batting 282/.336/.510 with 19 doubles, 13 home runs and 32 strikeouts in 70 games with the Tides. He struck out 92 times.

Aquino is eligible to return on July 16.

The Orioles are in fourth place and 8 1/2 games out of first. They’re one game ahead of the last-place Blue Jays.

The Orioles are 15-28 on the road and the Twins are 18-26 at home.

For the Twins
Brian Dozier 2B
Robbie Grossman DH
Miguel Sanó 1B
Max Kepler RF
Eduardo Escobar 3B
Eddie Rosario LF
Jorge Polanco SS
Jason Castro C
Byron Buxton CF

José Berríos RHP

The Orioles are listing Kevin Gausman, TBD and Ubaldo Jiménez as the remaining starters for the series in Minnesota. Chris Tillman could be slotted.

The Twins are listing TBD, Adalberto Mejía and Kyle Gibson.