Clark designated to make room for Garcia

ANAHEIM -- The Orioles designated right-handed pitcher Zach Clark for assignment prior to Saturday's game, clearing a 40-man roster spot for starter Freddy Garcia.

"It's about right for my path," said Clark, 29, who made his Major League debut Wednesday at Seattle. "I'm not really surprised. They needed the spot and I was the guy they could take off, I guess. I'm a little disappointed, but it doesn't change that I need to pitch well to be where I want to be."

Clark is now on waivers, meaning he can be claimed by another team -- which goes in the inverse order of the current standings -- and be added to that organization's 40-man roster. The Orioles expect to know by Monday afternoon if Clark has cleared, in which case he would go back to Triple-A Norfolk.

Clark, a UMBC product, is a great underdog story, with several Orioles Minor Leaguers taking to Twitter to show their support during his debut. Clark allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks, striking out one over 1 2/3 innings.

"I don't understand how it would change the way I pitch -- maybe give me a little bit more fire to get back, but I think that would be the same situation if I was just sent down," Clark said.

"If I thought it was going to be easy once I got here, I'd be naïve."