The Orioles selected the contract of second baseman Johnny Giavotella from Triple-A Norfolk before Thursday night’s series opener at the Minnesota Twins.
Giavotella has been swinging a hot bat for Norfolk, hitting .306/.368/.441 with 22 doubles, four triples, five homers and 45 RBIs in 83 games.
The team optioned left-hander Jayson Aquino, who starter Wednesday’s series finale in Milwaukee, in a corresponding move and designated first baseman David Washington for assignment to create 40-man space for the 29-year-old Giavotella.
There’s no question the Orioles liked Giavotella’s bat, but he was previously low on the organization’s infield depth chart.