BALTIMORE -- With second baseman Jonathan Schoop on the disabled list and third baseman Timothy Beckham probably headed there, the Orioles claimed utility player Jace Peterson off waivers from the Yankees on Tuesday afternoon.
Peterson is expected to land in Baltimore on Tuesday night and be active for Wednesday's game. Beckham, who left Monday's game with a groin and Achilles injury, will probably land on the DL, clearing a spot on the roster.
"Left-handed hitter. Plus-runner. Has some versatility to his game. And a guy that's got some experience in the big leagues," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Peterson, who has 386 career games in the Majors. "Has a skill set that hopefully will play here and something we're in need of. So I think he is flying in late [Tuesday] and probably will fit in the picture [Wednesday]."
Tuesday's rainout was a welcome one, giving the O's depleted infield a chance to get Peterson. Beckham got an MRI on Tuesday and it would be a surprise if he wasn't put on the DL. While Peterson is primarily a second baseman, he's played third base, shortstop and outfield, and his versatility is sorely needed for an O's club already playing with a short bench.
Outfielder Trey Mancini, who hasn't started since exiting Friday's game with a right knee injury, could also use the extra day. Without Beckham, Danny Valencia was slotted in to start Tuesday before the game was called. Showalter said he wants to talk to Peterson before he opines on where he'll get most of his playing time.
"[Second base is] where most of his reps have been over his career. He can play other places but I think he's the most comfortable there," Showalter said, "but until I sit down and talk to him, I'm not 100 percent sure about that."