The Orioles have designated infielder Terrin Vavra for assignment, per a team announcement. The move makes room on the active roster for first baseman Ryan Noda, who the club claimed off waivers from the White Sox yesterday.
Vavra, 28, was a third-rounder selected by the Rockies back in 2018. He was dealt to the Orioles prior to his big league debut as part of the Mychal Givens trade back in 2020 and then made his big league debut two years later. In 40 games with Baltimore that year, Vavra impressed with a roughly league average .258/.340/.337 slash line while playing both second base and the outfield. Vavra broke camp with the Orioles in 2023 but made it into just 27 games, hitting poorly in 56 plate appearances before he was shelved due to a shoulder strain. That shoulder injury eventually turned out to be a labrum tear, and Vavra underwent surgery to repair his shoulder in September 2023.
Vavra has barely appeared in the majors since. He returned to action at the Triple-A level early last year but was DFA’d and claimed by the Mariners over the summer. He didn’t make a big league appearance with Seattle, however, and was eventually outrighted off the club’s 40-man roster in September before he re-signed with the Orioles on a minor league deal. He’s been selected to the active roster twice this season, but didn’t make an appearance in the majors in the first of those call-ups. In the second, he got one pinch-hit appearance and lined out. Vavra’s work in 59 games with Triple-A Norfolk has left something to be desired this year, as he’s posted a lackluster .247/.354/.341 slash line across 203 trips to the plate.
If Vavra goes unclaimed on waivers, he’ll be able to either accept an outright assignment and return to Norfolk or elect free agency and become eligible to sign with any of the league’s 30 clubs. Vavra’s departure from the roster makes room for Noda, who was plucked off waivers from the White Sox yesterday. The 29-year-old was a Rule 5 pick by the A’s back in 2023 and impressed over 128 games, slashing .229/.364/.409 with 39 extra-base hits and a 15.6% walk rate over 495 trips to the plate. He’s hit just .124/.266/.202 in 52 games since then, but with Ryan O’Hearn now in San Diego and the Orioles buried in the standings at this point Baltimore has little to lose by giving Noda a chance as a lefty bench bat who can chip in at first base and in the outfield, filling a role similar to the one O’Hearn had been brought in to plug before he broke out with the club back in 2023.
Thanks, I hate it.
So where are they gonna play him? First base should be played by Mayo every day now.. if not it’s ludicrously stupid
DH/RF
The O’s traded 2 true outfielders and a 1B at the deadline. There’s ABs open for Carlson & Noda. Mayo is going to get days off against tougher righties too.
Oriole fans : Enjoy Noda’s AB’s. Sit back and have a laugh. You’ll see some of the most non competitive AB’s you’ll ever see at the MLB level.
Not a chance. Jorge Mateo has been on the team for several years, so have been there. Especially this year.
I don’t think anyone actually has expectations. He’s just filling out a roster spot so not to rush Beavers and Basallo. You all can’t look at every roster move as meaningful.
Ah yes, we are on that cold window before Basallo and Beavers are called up in like 2 weeks-ish. When they’ll retain Rookie status for next year. Arguably both players are past needing AAA AB’s. Same plan as with Westberg and Cowser.
Until that time though, let’s roll out the fringe!
Some fringe sprinkled in with some cringe.
I’m not sure they are past needing AAA at bats. Basallo is a talent but has been pretty streaky
Not true that Vavra hasn’t made an appearance in the majors this season. He got one at bat and two innings in the field yesterday.
Vavra’s dad was a coach in the Twins organization. I suspect that he will follow a similar path. I won’t be surprised if he takes a few days off to go home and see his family and then accept the outright or sign a new minor league deal.