Baltimore Orioles Claim Infielder Hanser Alberto, Again.

Welcome back to the Baltimore Orioles, Hanser Alberto.

In their attempt to stockpile as many middle infielders as humanly possible, the Baltimore Orioles have re-claimed infielder Hanser Alberto off waivers, this time from the San Francisco Giants. Left-handed reliever Donnie Hart has been designated for assignment to clear space for Alberto, per a tweet from the Baltimore Orioles.

Alberto has had quite the offseason. The New York Yankees claimed the 26-year-old off waivers from the Texas Rangers back in early November, keeping him on the roster for about two months before he was designated for assignment to make room for Zack Britton after he re-signed with the Yanks.

The Orioles put in their first claim for Alberto, designating catcher Andrew Susac, on January 11. That lasted for just over a month, when the Orioles DFA’d Alberto to make room for LHP Josh Osich. The San Francisco Giants, from where Osich was acquired from, soon became the third team this offseason to acquire Alberto, claiming him on February 22nd.

One week later, Hanser Alberto has found his way back to Baltimore. As we previously mentioned, Alberto doesn’t bring with him noteworthy offensive numbers but he does add versatility. He has played at every infield position, except catcher, and defensive metrics have liked the utility man.

Baltimore Orioles DFA Donnie Hart.

More from Birds Watcher

• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?

Donnie Hart entered spring training in a battle for a bullpen roster spot, but may now find himself trying to impress a different organization. Originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles back in 2013, Hart had a prime seat on the Baltimore-Norfolk shuttle last season, seeing 20 games of action at the big league level and 32 with the Norfolk Tides.

With the Tides, Hart posted a 2.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, while recording a 45/10 K/BB ratio across 41 innings. He wasn’t as successful with the Orioles.

In 20 relief outings, Hart finished 2018 with a 5.59 ERA and 2.22 WHIP, allowing a .360 batting average and walking 12 hitters (compared to just 13 strikeouts).

Hart was one of many left-handed relief options for the Orioles. He was joined by Richard Bleier, Paul Fry, Josh Osich, and Tanner Scott on the 40-man roster. We will now wait and see if the O’s will be able to hold on to him.

Alberto joins Alcides Escobar, Richie Martin, Drew Jackson, Jack Reinheimer, and others in a competition for a roster spot, however, the front office obviously sees something they like in Alberto.