Pat Valaika - Page 3 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Back in big leagues Valaika was recalled by the Orioles on Tuesday.

Impact Valaika hit a surprisingly respectable .277/.315/.475 last season following several years as a well below-average hitter with the Rockies. The Orioles evidently didn't really believe in his growth, however, as he started just two games before getting demoted in early April. He'll likely remain in a bench role this time around, providing coverage in the middle infield while Freddy Galvis (groin) tends to a sore adductor.

APRIL 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to alternate site Valaika was optioned to the Orioles' alternate site Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact He is 1-for-9 with two strikeouts and a walk through four games. A corresponding move has not yet been announced. Valaika will provide organizational infield depth throughout the year.

APRIL 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

In mix for starting role General manager Mike Elias said Saturday that Valaika and Ramon Urias are the primary candidates to start at second base, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact The duo was competing for a utility role throughout camp but are now battling for a starting spot after expected starter Yolmer Sanchez was designated for assignment Saturday. Valaika had a solid campaign in his first year with the Orioles in 2020, posting a .277/.315.475 slash line with eight homers in 150 plate appearances. The pair seems likely to begin the season splitting time at the keystone.

MARCH 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finish

Giancarlo Stanton is picking up where he ended the postseason last year

MARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

In competition for utility role Valaika could make the Opening Day roster as a utility player, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Impact Valaika is battling with Ramon Urias and Stevie Wilkerson for a bench role with the Orioles to begin the season. Manager Brandon Hyde stressed the importance of any utility infielder having the ability to play at any position, something Valaika proved he could do even in the shortened 2020 campaign. Even if he makes the club, Valaika is likely to limited to inconsistent at-bats and has managed only a .230/.271/.420 line across 583 career plate appearances.

MARCH 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ohtani fans 5 in return to mound; Harper HR on 1st swing

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons

MARCH 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orioles cut Alberto, sign 4 players to 1-year deals

Starting second baseman Hanser Alberto was let go Wednesday by the Baltimore Orioles, who agreed to one-year contracts with catcher Pedro Severino and infielder Yolmer Sánchez

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back with Orioles Valaika agreed to a one-year deal with the Orioles on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Impact Valaika had a strong showing during his first season in Baltimore, posting a .277/.315/.475 slash line with eight home runs in 52 games during 2020. The 28-year-old could enter spring training with a chance to earn a larger role with the departure of shortstop Jose Iglesias.

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Clubs eighth homer Valaika went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Thursday's 13-1 rout of the Red Sox.

Impact He was one of four Baltimore hitters to lace three hits on the night. Valaika has put together a solid first campaign in an O's uniform, hitting .275 with eight homers, 15 RBI and 23 runs in 51 games.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Laces three hits Valaika went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Impact Valaika hit three singles in the contest, but he was unable to score despite his frequent trips on-base. The versatile 28-year-old has seven homers, 14 RBI and 20 runs scored while clashing .263/.300/.451 in 50 games this season.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Valaika will not start Monday against Atlanta, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika had been in the lineup for eight of the last nine games, though he posted an OPS of just .517 over that stretch. The return of Austin Hays (ribs) could impact his playing time, as he'll start in left field Monday, pushing Ryan Mountcastle to designated hitter and Renato Nunez to first base.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat for second game Valaika isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Impact Valaika started at first base during Friday's matinee and went 0-for-2 with one strikeout. He'll get a breather for the second game with Chris Davis taking over as the first baseman.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

So just who is Pat Valaika, anyway? Pat "The Bat" has shown versatility and reliability in the field on the way to powering his way into a regular spot in the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • CAMDENCHAT.COM

Big day at plate Valaika went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and three runs scored Tuesday against the Mets.

Impact Valaika led off the eighth inning with a home run, his sixth of the season. Prior to that, he plated another run on an infield single to contribute to the Orioles' 11-run offensive outburst. Valaika has quietly put together a strong .280/.321/.490 line with 13 RBI and 17 runs scored across 107 plate appearances this season.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles hit four homers, beat Mets 11-2

Rookie Ryan Mountcastle hit a two-run homer and Rio Ruiz added a three-run shot and the Baltimore Orioles hit four homers and cruised to an 11-2 victory over the New York Mets

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers snap 6-game losing streak, beat Angels 7-1

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orioles end 19-game losing streak against Yankees

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Collects four hits Valaika went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI on Tuesday against the Mets.

Impact Valaika collected a hit each time he came to the plate and also delivered an RBI double in the sixth inning. He's lost playing time since the return of Jose Iglesias, but drew a start at second base on Tuesday with Hanser Alberto battling a knee injury. That said, playing time may reopen for Valaika in the short-term, and he's put together a solid .275/.318/.487 line across 86 plate appearances to this point in the season.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chapman's 1st save seals Yankees' 5-3 win over Tampa Bay

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns to bench role Valaika is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Following Jose Iglesias' (quadriceps) return from the injured list Thursday, Valaika has predictably lost out on a full-time role. Even with Iglesias serving as the Orioles' designated hitter Sunday, Andrew Velazquez will get a turn at shortstop in the series finale, while Valaika sits for the second day in a row.

AUGUST 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles’ costly error leads to decisive big inning in loss to Rays Pat Valaika’s miscue sets the stage for early back-to-back homers in Tampa Bay’s 4-2 win.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Homers in third straight contest Valaika went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run Saturday against the Red Sox.

Impact Valaika took Martin Perez deep in the second inning to record his fifth homer of the season. He has been on a power binge of late, homering in three consecutive games while also riding a five-game hitting streak. Overall, Valaika has compiled a .242/.299/.484 line with 11 runs scored and eight RBI across 67 plate appearances.

AUGUST 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in second straight Valaika went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday as the Red Sox took down the Orioles by a score of 8-5.

Impact The Orioles didn't get on the board until the seventh inning when Valaika hit a solo shot to left field. The 27-year-old utility man has recently found himself starting at shortstop after Jose Iglesias (quadriceps) was placed on the injured list earlier in the week and has taken full advantage of the opportunity. Valaika is hitting .357/.357/.786 with two home runs and three RBI in four games since Peraza went down and is making it difficult for Manager Brandon Hyde to try and replace him when Iglesias returns.

AUGUST 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hits third homer Valaika went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-1 loss to Boston.

Impact Valaika accounted for Baltimore's only run of the game, taking Nathan Eovaldi deep to center field in the seventh inning. The utilityman has taken advantage of increased playing time of late, going 4-for-10 with a pair of RBI over his last three games to raise his average to .218 on the season.

AUGUST 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Helping to replace Iglesias Valaika will start at shortstop and bat seventh Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Impact With Jose Iglesias (quadriceps) moving to the injured list Tuesday, Valaika and the switch-hitting Andrew Velazquez are expected to share the load at shortstop. Even if Velazquez emerges as the preferred option at that position, Valaika's versatility will continue to give him multiple pathways to playing time. He'll be making his fifth consecutive start Wednesday, with two assignments coming at shortstop, two coming in left field and one coming at the keystone.

AUGUST 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE