The Orioles designated left-handed relief specialist Clay Rapada for assignment to make room for Alfredo Simon, who was activated from the disabled list.
The Orioles will have 10 days to trade him, pass him through waivers and assign him to Triple-A Norfolk, or grant him his outright release. If he passes through waivers, he can refuse an assignment to Norfolk.
Rapada, 30, made 22 appearances for the Orioles, posting a 7.30 ERA. He has been effective against left-handed hitters, who have gone just 4-for-35 with one homer, three walks and 13 strikeouts against him.
However, right-handed hitters are 9-for-13 with two doubles, one triple, two homers and three walks against Rapada.
Overall, he has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits, six walks and 13 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings.
The decision essentially leaves the Orioles with three long men in their bullpen -- Simon, Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken.
The club feels that is necessary with no off days before the All-Star break and the starters struggling to get deep in games.
"If you are in the right situation, your starters are going deep enough, you are able to carry someone like him," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said about Rapada. "We are just not in that position right now."
ORIOLES
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Markakis, RF
Adam Jones, CF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Derrek Lee, 1B
Matt Wieters, C
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Felix Pie, LF
Blake Davis, 2B
Chris Jakubauskas, SP
