BALTIMORE -- Seeking to add some depth to the infield and bolster the bench, the O's selected the contract of Ruben Tejada and designated Paul Janish for assignment to clear room on the 25-man roster prior to Tuesday's game.
Tejada was acquired from the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations on Sunday and sent to Triple-A Norfolk.
"We're hoping Paul clears and continues with us down in Norfolk," said manager Buck Showalter. "[Tejada] was available and had an out in his contract, and people thought he was a guy we wanted to add."
Tejada signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees this past offseason, and he was hitting .269/.345/.462 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 37 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before being dealt.
"[I'm] really happy because it's an opportunity to come back to the big leagues and do my stuff with a new team," Tejada said. "I'm really happy for this opportunity."
The 27-year-old batted .167 with five doubles and five RBIs in 36 games split between the Cardinals and Giants in 2016. His last full season came in 2015, when he hit .261 with three homers and 28 RBIs in 116 games with the Mets.
Tejada should provide the Orioles with added depth up the middle on defense and a veteran bat off the bench. The team is currently without versatile infielder Ryan Flaherty, who is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury and is hoping to be cleared to start throwing on Friday.