Michael

Belfiore

He’ll be assigned to Double-A Bowie. Belfiore, 23, has a career 4.05 ERA in parts of four seasons in the minors. Baseball America didn’t include him among the Diamondbacks’ Top 30 prospects during the offseason.

The move protects him from December’s Rule 5 Draft. Belfiore, a 24-year-old reliever, was acquired from the Diamondbacks in May as part of the Josh Bell trade and posted a 2.71 ERA and 78/26 K/BB ratio over 66 1/3 innings this season between High-A and Double-A.

For the second time this season, Belfiore was recalled for just one day as an extra bullpen arm but did not appear in the game. He’ll continue to provide organizational depth at Triple-A. The corresponding move will be announced Saturday, but they’re expected to activate Pedro Strop from the disabled list.

He’s taking Steve Johnson’s roster spot. A former sandwich round pick, Belfiore holds a 5.52 ERA and has walked nine over 14 2/3 innings for Norfolk this season, but he’s also struck out 17. He’ll work in middle relief.

Belfiore was up in the majors for a day earlier this season and did not make an appearance. He’ll provide middle relief depth.

Belfiore was up in the majors for only one day and did not make an appearance. The left-hander has a 5.52 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 14 2/3 innings this year at Triple-A.

The Orioles are starved for bullpen depth after nine relievers combined to throw 12 1/3 innings in Friday’s loss to the Rays. The 24-year-old posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 82/29 K/BB ratio over 76 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season.

Belfiore suffered the injury earlier this week during pitchers’ fielding practice. He can play through it, and is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday, but it’s still something the O’s will have to monitor.

The move was made in order to clear room on the 40-man roster for the addition of Joel Hanrahan. Belfiore holds a 5.40 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 11 2/3 frames at Toledo this season.

Belfiore appeared in one game for the O’s last season and had a 3.18 ERA while striking out over a batter per frame at Triple-A. He could draw some interest on waivers.