DeShields Gets Cut by Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles gave up on struggling outfielder Delino DeShields on Monday and claimed third baseman Tony Batista off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Voted the Orioles’ most valuable player last season after batting .296 with 10 home runs, 86 runs batted in and 37 stolen bases, DeShields hit .197 with three homers, 21 RBIs and 11 steals in 58 games this season.

Baltimore has 10 days to trade or release DeShields, who is in the final season of a three-year contract.

DeShields never quite fit with the Orioles. He struggled through injuries in his first season with the club in 1999, then last year was pushed from second base to the outfield to make room for rookie Jerry Hairston.

This season, he was hitting .106 on April 18 and never got his average over .232 before finally losing his starting job in left field.

Batista, 27, was on the American League all-star team last year, when he hit .267 and had career highs in home runs (41) and RBIs (114). But, like DeShields, he struggled this season.

He hit only .207 in 72 games with the Blue Jays, but the Orioles want him for his power. Batista had 13 homers and 45 RBIs. No Oriole player has more than nine homers this year.

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Boston third baseman John Valentin, who forced a standoff with the Red Sox when he refused to go on a rehabilitation assignment, has agreed to spend three days in the minor leagues as he recovers from a right heel injury.

Valentin was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Friday, but the team asked him to spend some time in the minors getting back into shape. As a player with more than 10 years of experience, he had the right to refuse the assignment.

The team left him on the disabled list, and Valentin was reportedly considering a union grievance to get out of limbo. Monday’s compromise will keep Valentin in triple-A Pawtucket for only three days.

“Obviously, I don’t think I need 20 days, which is a regular rehab assignment,” Valentin said. “That’s the reason.”

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The New York Yankees sent right-hander Carlos Almanzar to triple-A Columbus to make room for newly acquired reliever Jay Witasick. . . . Right-hander Mike Lincoln was called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates from triple-A Nashville. . . . The Detroit Tigers put catcher Brandon Inge on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured left shoulder and recalled Javier Cardona from triple-A Toledo. . . .The New York Mets recalled pitcher Grant Roberts from triple-A Norfolk and sent down reliever Jerrod Riggan.