Baltimore Orioles: Dana Eveland Designated for Assignment; Claim Zelous Wheeler

In a surprise move, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reported the Baltimore Orioles have designated pitcher Dana Eveland for assignment today and claimed infielder Zelous Wheeler off waivers from Milwaukee.

Eveland had a 3.46 ERA in six appearances this spring training, but surrendered three earned runs in four innings Wednesday against Toronto. Following that performance, Eveland wasn't confident he would make the team as a starter, but thought he could earn a spot in the bullpen.

"Honestly, I can't see that I would be in the rotation... If I could slide into the long relief job or be the lefty guy in the 'pen, that would be great, but we have a lot of great competition in camp," said Eveland. 

His comments there and those manager Buck Showalter made following Eveland's outing Wednesday stating that Eveland still had a chance to make the rotation this spring make the timing of this move strange.

The move overall isn't surprising because pitchers Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz, Jason Hammel, Tommy Hunter and Wei Yin Chen appear to have earned spots in the rotation and the O's still hope Tsuyoshi Wada will join the rotation eventually. Also relievers Troy Patton and Zach Phillips are more likely candidates to fill bullpen slots and have outperformed Eveland.

It is just weird timing considering just yesterday Showalter seemed likely to keep Eveland on the roster as long as possible for further evaluation. 

Eveland has said he will accept a job at the Triple-A level if no other teams claim him.

The Orioles claimed Wheeler off waivers today. Wheeler, 25, was previously with the Brewers and is a third baseman who can play other infield positions.