O's claim utility man Paredes off waivers

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles claimed utility man Jimmy Paredes off waivers from the Marlins on Saturday.

The Marlins claimed Paredes off waivers in November and designated him for assignment on Feb. 7.

Paredes, 25, should compete for a spot on the Orioles' bench this spring. The switch-hitter has played parts of three Major League seasons with the Astros, posting a combined .234/.274/.311 batting line with three home runs, 31 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 118 games.

Paredes has primarily played right field in the Majors but has also seen time at second and third base. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder also played shortstop, center field and left field in the Minors.

Signed by the Yankees in 2006, Paredes was traded to Houston along with reliever Mark Melancon in exchange for Lance Berkman before the 2010 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Over parts of seven seasons in the Minors, Paredes hit .289/.324/.428 with 44 homers and 276 RBIs in 601 games.

Baltimore's 40-man roster is now full.