O's recall infielder Valencia from Norfolk

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles recalled infielder Danny Valencia from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Monday's series opener against the Rays, and he immediately made his presence known from the designated hitter spot in the lineup.

Valencia went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a walk and was a bright spot in the O's 4-3 loss, improving to a career 9-for-12 off Rays ace David Price in the process.

"Wanted to get back to four guys on the bench, and Danny was a good fit for us right now," manager Buck Showalter said of the right-handed-hitting Valencia, who took the roster spot vacated by pitcher Josh Stinson.

"There are some good options for us," Showalter added. "We just felt like Danny was the best at this point. [He] went down there and played every inning at third base up until the day before yesterday, I believe. Home, away, after bus rides, Danny did his part. [I'm] really respectful of what he went down there and did. The good news is, he's not the only one doing it."

Valencia, 28, hit .216 with a .256 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage in 25 games over his previous three stints with the Orioles. He was last optioned to Norfolk on Aug. 6, when Baltimore reinstated Brian Roberts from the paternity list.

Valencia posted a .286/.326/.351 line in 65 Triple-A games, with 14 homers and 51 RBIs.

Stinson, who pitched on Saturday and Sunday in relief, was optioned to Norfolk following the Orioles' 7-2 series win over the Rockies.