Jake Fox has played all over the diamond in his big league career, and he's more than willing to do that in Baltimore.
"Just put me out there, whatever number's next to my name, because I love playing the game," Fox said he told interim manager Juan Samuel after the Orioles acquired him Tuesday from the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitcher Ross Wolf.
"Some days I feel like I play better on the infield, some days I feel better behind the plate, some days I feel better in the outfield," Fox said. "For me, the hard work I put in at a bunch of different positions adds versatility and some depth to the team because if they need me at a certain position, I'm ready to fill in and play."
Fox, 27, has played 38 games in the outfield, 30 at third base, 11 at catcher and eight at first base in parts of three seasons in the majors. He hit .214 with 12 RBIs in 39 games for the A's this season before he was designated for assignment but is a career .293 hitter in the minors and hit 11 homers in 216at-bats for the Chicago Cubs last season.
Fox said he believes he is a better hitter than he showed in limited at-bats with the A's.
"With a lot of power hitters, it's all about timing, it's all about consistency at the plate," Fox said. "And when you get infrequent at-bats -- I was playing once or twice a week -- it's very difficult to perform the way you want to perform."
Samuel didn't say how often Fox would play in Baltimore but said the player would likely suit up at multiple positions.
"He's a utility guy. He's an added bat. We're going to do anything we can to get him in there and get some offense," Samuel said. "That's just an extra guy to help us off the bench, to pinch hit, if we need to throw him in against a left-hander."
The arrival of Fox will allow the Orioles to play catcher Matt Wieters more often at designated hitter, giving Wieters, who has struggled at the plate, time to concentrate solely on hitting. Previously, with only backup Craig Tatum available to catch, Samuel's options were limited.
"That's something that I'm considering," Samuel said. "It's a good choice to have."
A 2003 third-round pick of the Cubs, Fox becomes the sixth member of the Orioles' 25-man roster to have played for the Cubs, the team Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail led for 12 years.
Wolf, 27, was in his second season with Triple-A Norfolk. He had a 2.11 ERA in 25games, all in relief, this season. The A's also received cash considerations as part of the deal.
To make room for Fox on the 25-man roster, the Orioles demoted Chris Tillman to Norfolk, where he will rejoin the rotation. Tillman was 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA in four starts for the Orioles. He was moved to the bullpen after his last start in San Francisco on June 14 but did not pitch in relief for the Orioles.
"We haven't really used him while he was down there" in the bullpen, Samuel said. "To continue the development of those guys, they need to go down [to Norfolk] and pitch."
The Orioles also designated reliever Cla Meredith for assignment, essentially taking him off the 40-man roster. Meredith was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 games for the Orioles and 1-0 with a 13.50 ERA in five games for the Tides.
With Tillman demoted -- and not allowed to return to the majors for 10 days, barring injury -- Saturday's open rotation spot is expected to go to Brad Bergesen, who allowed two earned runs in five innings for Norfolk on Monday.
Bergesen is 3-4 with a 6.50 ERA in 12games (10 starts) for the Orioles this season.
Atkins still here ÃÂÃÂ for now
The addition of Fox, another right-handed hitter who can play the corner infield, is the latest sign that Garrett Atkins' days in an Orioles uniform are numbered. He survived Tuesday's roster move but could be designated for assignment Saturday, when the Orioles are expected to recall Bergesen to pitch against the Washington Nationals.
"I am still here, so as long as I am here, I'll keep working and be ready when they need me," Atkins said. "It's frustrating, but I think everybody in here is frustrated, whether you are playing or not playing. When you are losing games, it is not fun regardless of how many at-bats you are getting or how you are hitting or pitching."
Atkins, who signed a $4.5 million deal this offseason, has just one homer and nine RBIs in 137 at-bats while hitting .219. He has had just 15 plate appearances and 11 at-bats in June, including three at-bats on the most recent road trip.
"I called him in in San Diego. I didn't want him to think that I forgot about him," Samuel said. "He understands my job, what we face, and he was very good with it. Very professional."
Atkins said he has not entertained the idea of having his agent ask for a trade or release.
"I think it is probably going to happen. Not really much sense in having my agent call and talk to them about it," Atkins said. "Eleven at-bats in this month, I mean, it doesn't seem like I serve much of a purpose. But, like I said, I am still here and I'll be ready when they need me."
Around the horn
Outfielder Felix Pie (torn back muscle) played his second consecutive game for the Gulf Coast League Orioles as part of his minor league rehabilitation stint. He was 1-for-4 with a run and two strikeouts and is 1-for-8 in two games in the GCL. ÃÂÃÂ Left-hander Michael Gonzalez (shoulder strain) threw 19 pitches and one scoreless inning for the GCL Orioles. He allowed a hit and struck out two while hitting 91 mph with his fastball. ÃÂÃÂ Right-hander Koji Uehara (forearm strain) threw 30 pitches from flat ground. ÃÂÃÂ Fox is wearing uniform No.47, former manager Dave Trembley's number. ÃÂÃÂ Double-A Bowie pitcher Zach Britton was named to the annual Futures Game on July 11 in Anaheim, Calif. He's the lone Orioles prospect on the rosters of the prestigious exhibition, which features players throughout the minors.
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