Steve Pearce said he spent all afternoon Monday waiting for the trade deadline to pass and for his situation to be resolved, but was glad for his final destination to be back in Baltimore.
Returning to a first-place Orioles team, he said, is a "good situation."
"Playing meaningful baseball, that's what we want to do," said Pearce, who joined from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade for catching prospect Jonah Heim. "It gives us a reason to show up at the park every day and get ready to strap it on because it is going to be a dogfight. It's a tough division. There's a lot of people competing right now for the playoffs."
Center fielder Adam Jones joked that he needs to be re-introduced to Pearce, but the reality is all parties involved are happy for a reunion. Pearce said coming back to a place where he played — and thrived — for parts of four season is making it easier to move in-season.
"I've played with these guys for a long time, so they're excited, I'm excited," Pearce said. "Just excited to be back. I heard the news yesterday and it was great news. It's an easier transition for me."
Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette slapped Pearce on the back during an introductory press conference, saying it was the fifth time they've come together after parting ways in one form or another.
"Had a terrific year in Tampa, we are glad to have him back," Duquette said. "He gives us excellent defense, power when he's in the game and when he's not in the game he gives us a real strong bench. … These are two workman-type players. Guys that like to grind it out in the American League East, they've got ability and we are real glad to have them back with the club."
Pearce is batting .309 with 10 home runs in 60 games for the Rays, having missed time in June with a hamstring injury. He primarily played first base, second base and designated hitter with the Rays, though he said he's prepared to play the outfield. As a right-handed batter who's hitting .377 off left-handed pitching, he could platoon with either Hyun Soo Kim in left field or Pedro Alvarez at designated hitter against lefties.
Showalter said Pearce would make his 2016 Orioles debut Wednesday against left-hander Cole Hamels, though how he'll be used is still up in the air.
"I'm not sure where we're at," Showalter said. "We'll use him today off the bench. We'll get our arms around him. He's got a couple of nagging things. He's played like five out of the last seven days. I know he's going to get a little break off the turf. I know he's kind of excited about that."