Baltimore Orioles surprisingly remove former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder from 40 man roster

The club announced Friday that Robertson cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk, pulling him off the 40-man roster. It is a quiet move, but it opens flexibility for the next winter tweak.

Baltimore designated him for assignment on Dec. 28 to make room when Zach Eflin's one-year deal became official. Holiday timing stretched the usual DFA window, so he sat in limbo longer than most players do.

Robertson never got into a game for the Orioles, because they had only just claimed him from the Pittsburgh Pirates in early December. The ride has been wild since July, going from Toronto to Chicago, then Pittsburgh, then Baltimore.

In Triple-A last season he hit .289 with 20 homers and a .958 OPS in 301 at-bats, showing real lefty pop. In the majors he hit .129 with nine RBIs in 75 plate appearances, a tough first taste of big-league pitching.

Because this was his first outright assignment and he has less than three years of service, Robertson can't elect free agency and walk away. He stays in the system and tries to hit his way back onto a roster spot.

Fans tend to shrug at these waiver loops, but I like keeping a 28-year-old lefty bat in Norfolk as insurance. Robertson is mostly a corner outfielder, so the bat has to carry the conversation.

The Orioles are betting that his Triple-A approach, the walks and lift, translates better with a little more polish. If he trims the chase against lefties, the power plays in Camden Yards.

He was a fourth-round pick out of Creighton in 2019, 117th overall, and he finally reached the majors last June. That background matters, because late bloomers often need one more adjustment after seeing MLB velocity up close.

For the team, Friday's outright is roster hygiene, keeping the 40-man from clogging when injuries hit or another claim pops. It is the same churn Baltimore used in past winters to keep depth without committing spots.

If Robertson rakes for Norfolk early, the Orioles can select his contract again and suddenly the move looks smart, not cold. Until then, this is a reminder that the margins of roster construction shape the season long before Opening Day.

Source: MLB Trade Rumors
Orioles Outright Will Robertson

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