Orioles outright Shepherd to Triple-A Norfolk

The Orioles have wasted little time in beginning their work on the 40-man roster.

Less than 24 hours after losing their final game in Boston, the Orioles have outrighted pitcher Chandler Shepherd to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared waivers, per multiple industry sources.

That's one move.

Shepherd started yesterday's game and lasted five-plus innings in a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox. He was charged with two earned runs and three total, the last scoring after Shawn Armstrong replaced him.

Manager Brandon Hyde removed Shepherd after 81 pitches and the only walk issued on the day.

Asked whether he showed enough to make a positive impression, Shepherd replied, "I'm not sure. I don't really think too much about any of that. I just try to go out, pitch my ballgames, and games will unfold the way that the will."

The Orioles are expected to bring Shepherd to spring training and give him a chance to win a spot on a pitching staff that's going to undergo more changes.

Shepherd, 27, registered a 6.63 ERA and 1.526 WHIP in five games, including three starts. The Orioles selected him off waivers from the Cubs in May.

The 40-man roster needs further reductions prior to the Rule 5 draft, which is held on the final day of the Winter Meetings in San Diego.

Pitchers are the most vulnerable due to the number of position players who are certain to stay in the organization. However, outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo is a pending free agent who can be subtracted.

Here's the current roster, which is down to 39 players and doesn't include pitchers Alex Cobb and Josh Rogers, who are on the 60-day injured list and need to be added later:

Pitchers
Shawn Armstrong
Richard Bleier
Aaron Brooks
Dylan Bundy
Cody Carroll
Miguel Castro
Ryan Eades
Paul Fry
Mychal Givens
Eric Hanhold
Hunter Harvey
David Hess
Branden Kline
John Means
Luis Ortiz
Evan Phillips
Tanner Scott
Tayler Scott
Dillon Tate
Asher Wojciechowski
Gabriel Ynoa

Catchers
Pedro Severino
Chance Sisco
Austin Wynns

Infielders
Hanser Alberto
Chris Davis
Richie Martin
Renato Núñez
Rio Ruiz
Jonathan Villar

Outfielders
Austin Hays
Trey Mancini
Cedric Mullins
Anthony Santander
Dwight Smith Jr.
DJ Stewart
Mark Trumbo
Stevie Wilkerson
Mason Williams

Hanhold was claimed off waivers from the Mets on Sept. 16, but he didn't join the expanded active roster.

Update: The Orioles have announced the move.