HOUSTON - Only a few days after claiming infielder Luis Sardiñas off waivers, the Orioles were able to outright him to Triple-A Norfolk to improve their depth while Ryan Flaherty remains on the disabled list.
Sardiñas, who turned 24 earlier this month, made it through waivers on a second attempt and was assigned to the Tides.
The Orioles claimed Sardiñas on Wednesday while wrapping up their series against the Twins at Camden Yards. He was placed on the 40-man roster, occupying the last spot, but only on a temporary basis.
Because he's out of options, Sardiñas had to clear waivers and be outrighted for the Orioles to assign him to Norfolk.
Sardiñas, a switch-hitter from Venezuela, is a career .229/.278/.293 hitter in parts of four major league seasons with the Rangers, Brewers, Mariners and Padres. The Padres designated him for assignment on Sunday after he batted .163/.226/.163 in 29 games.
Sardiñas has played every infield position and can replace Paul Janish while the veteran infielder is serving in a utility role with the Orioles. Flaherty received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder Wednesday and is rehabbing down in Sarasota, with no firm timetable set for his return.
Meanwhile, the Astros are starting right-hander Joe Musgrove in tonight's series opener against the Orioles at Minute Maid Park.
Musgrove is 3-4 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.554 WHIP in nine starts covering 46 1/3 innings. He allowed seven runs and eight hits and walked three batters over three innings in his most recent outing against the Indians.
Musgrove has failed to complete six innings in six of his nine starts. He's posted a 6.44 ERA in six home starts and a 4.24 ERA in three road starts. Over two major league seasons, he has a 3.86 ERA in 12 home games (11 starts) and a 6.07 ERA in eight road starts.
Left-handers are batting .310 against Musgrove this season and right-handers are batting .302.
Musgrove's only start against the Orioles came on Aug. 18, 2016 at Camden Yards. He surrendered eight runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. J.J. Hardy homered twice, Mark Trumbo took him deep and Hyun Soo Kim was 3-for-3 with a triple.
Kevin Gausman started that night and allowed four earned runs (five total) in 6 2/3 innings, with one walk, eight strikeouts and two home runs.
The current Orioles are 10-for-19 against Musgrove. Hardy also has a double to go with his two home runs in three at-bats.