O's deal Webb for righty Rowen, catcher O'Brien

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles acquired right-hander Ben Rowen and Minor League catcher Chris O'Brien from the Dodgers on Thursday for right-handed reliever Ryan Webb, Triple-A Norfolk catcher Brian Ward and Competitive Balance Round B pick (74th overall) in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft.

The 29-year-old Webb was removed from the Orioles' 40-man roster on Monday; executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette had been trying to deal the righty throughout Spring Training. Webb is slated to earn $2.75 million this year, which the Dodgers will now absorb.

Webb went 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 51 appearances last season for the Orioles. Ward, whose defense was hailed by those within the organization, has not reached the Majors and has hit .237/.339/.318 in 394 career Minor League games.

O'Brien is a switch-hitter who batted .270/.352/.453 against right-handed pitching in his first full year at Double-A. The son of longtime Major League catcher Charlie O'Brien, Chris has throw out 30 percent of baserunners attempting to steal against him. Duquette said O'Brien will start the season with the O's Double-A Bowie affiliate.

Rowen is a sidearmer similar to current Orioles righty Darren O'Day. The 26-year-old Rowen went went 3-0 with a 3.45 ERA in 34 games with Triple-A Round Rock last season and pitched in eight games with the Rangers. He posted a 4.15 ERA in 8 2/3 Major League innings.