The Orioles began today with six outfielders on the roster of their Triple-A affiliate at Norfolk. They have now reduced that by one by trading Alfredo Marte to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for a player to be named.
With the open roster spot, the Tides activated right-handed pitcher Scott McGough. The O's acquired him Friday off waivers from the Miami Marlins.
The 27-year-old Marte, a right-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic, had some good moments for the Orioles in spring training. In 15 games, the non-roster invitee batted .280 (7-for-25) with a homer and four RBIs. But Marte got into just two games with the Tides, making one start and that was as the DH. He was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Marte got into six games for the Los Angeles Angels last season, going 2-for-6. For Triple-A Salt Lake, he batted .318 with seven homers and 55 RBIs in 97 games. The Orioles signed him as a minor league free agent last Dec. 15.
Marte's departure leaves the Tides with five outfielders: Christian Walker, Xavier Avery, L.J. Hoes, Henry Urrutia and Dariel Alvarez.
McGough, 26, has pitched in two games this season with Triple-A New Orleans, totaling 2 2/3 innings. He made his major league debut in 2015, pitching in six games with the Marlins. In 13 games with Triple-A New Orleans in 2015, McGough posted a 2.12 ERA. Over 143 career minor league games (one start), he has gone 10-17 with a 3.11 ERA and 171 strikeouts. McGough was originally selected by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Oregon.