Orioles

Orioles acquire left-handed hitting 1st baseman Ryan O’Hearn from Royals

The Orioles filled their need for a backup, left-handed hitting first baseman when they acquired Ryan O’Hearn from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations on Tuesday.

O”Hearn, who agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Royals before last month’s deadline for tendering contracts, hit .239 with a home run and 16 RBIs in 67 games for Kansas City last season.

In five seasons, he’s hit .219. In 2018, he hit 12 home runs in just 44 games, and in 2019 hit 14 home runs, drove in 38 runs and hit .195 in 105 games.

O’Hearn has started 163 games at first base and 21 in right field for the Royals.

To make room for O’Hearn on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated right-handed pitcher Chris Vallimont for assignment. Vallimont, who was acquired on waivers from Minnesota last season, was 6-7 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 games for Triple-A Norfolk and 1-0 with an 0.69 ERA in three starts for Double-A Bowie.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

Share
Published by
Rich Dubroff

Recent Posts

  • Minors

With Basallo’s big league debut nearing, Orioles’ international program showing strength

The Orioles haven’t signed a player from the Dominican Republic who played for them since…

December 23, 2024
  • Peter Schmuck

Peter Schmuck: A Corbin Burnes cautionary tale

Way back at the turn of this century, a venture capital guy named Tom Hicks,…

December 22, 2024
  • Minors

Orioles stocking up on players with major league experience for camp invites

While the signings of players with major league experience to minor league contracts might not…

December 21, 2024
  • Midday Mailbag

Should Orioles sign Scherzer and Verlander? | MAILBAG

Question: Why wouldn't the O's grab both Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander since they could…

December 20, 2024
  • Rich Dubroff

Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano explains his decision to join Orioles and what he expects

Tomoyuki Sugano, the 35-year-old Japanese right-hander who signed with the Orioles on Monday, appeared on…

December 20, 2024
  • Midday Mailbag

Can Sugano’s addition help Orioles sign Sasaki? | MAILBAG

Question: With the signing of Tomoyuki Sugano, it seems that if you prefer a smaller…

December 19, 2024