Pat Valaika - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Traded to Dodgers The Dodgers acquired Valaika from the Mariners on Tuesday, Alex Freedman of the Oklahoma City Dodgers reports.

Impact Seattle is presumably getting cash considerations in return. Valaika has not appeared in a major-league game since 2021 and was slashing .240/.343/.405 with four home runs and one stolen base through 38 games this season with Triple-A Tacoma. He'll be stationed at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to open market Valaika cleared waivers Monday and elected free agency, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika hit a surprising .277/.315/.475 in the shortened 2020 season, but he didn't come anywhere near that this year. His .201/.250/.290 line in 91 games was even worse than the .214/.256/.400 line he posted in his first four years in the league. He's unlikely to generate much interest in anything more than a minor-league deal on the open market.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Loses spot on 40-man roster Valaika was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Impact Valaika took on a starting role across the final few weeks of the 2021 campaign but failed to generate much production. Across 91 appearances in 2021, he hit .201 with five home runs, 25 RBI, 17 runs and a stolen base.

OCTOBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Knocks two-run homer Valaika went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to Toronto.

Impact The second baseman contributed half of Baltimore's offense in a four-run eighth inning. Valaika has hit a reasonable .273 (9-for-33) in his last 10 games, adding a homer and three doubles in that span. He's slashing just .199/.250/.291 with five long balls, 25 RBI, 17 runs scored and a stolen base in 273 plate appearances overall.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matz sharp, Jays beat Orioles 6-4 to stay in wild card race

Steven Matz pitched seven solid innings to win his fifth straight decision, Danny Jansen homered and drove in three runs, and the Toronto Blue Jays kept their playoff hopes alive b...

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • Associated Press

On bench Thursday Valaika isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika will get a breather after he went 5-for-12 with a double and three strikeouts across the last three games. Richie Martin will take his place at shortstop and bat seventh.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Two hits in loss Valaika went 2-for-4 in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Philadelphia.

Impact The infielder was the only Oriole to record multiple hits in the contest. Valaika has seen regular playing time with Ramon Urias (groin) out, although the former hasn't done much by hitting just .242 in his last nine games. For the year, Valaika has an uninspiring .199/.256/.279 slash line with four home runs, 21 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base in 247 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Harper's throw to plate saves Phillies' 4-3 win over O's

Bryce Harper threw out the tying run at the plate in the eighth inning and Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer to keep the Philadelphia Phillies pushing in the NL East race with a...

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • Associated Press

Realmuto's 2-run triple in 10th leads Phillies past O's 3-2

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • Associated Press

Starting in second straight Valaika will start at shortstop and bat seventh Wednesday against the Yankees.

Impact After getting a call-up from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and taking over Jorge Mateo's (back) spot on the 40-man roster, Valaika entered the lineup for the Orioles' 7-2 loss and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. He'll pick up another start Wednesday, this time stepping in against a left-handed pitcher (Nestor Cortes). With Jahmai Jones on the bench for a third straight contest, Valaika looks as though he'll get a look in a near-everyday role in the infield along with Kelvin Gutierrez and Ramon Urias.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Judge starts 5-HR barrage to back Cole, Yanks beat O's 7-2

Aaron Judge started a five-homer barrage that backed Gerrit Cole, and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 to win consecutive games for the first time since Sept. 1...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • Associated Press

Back in big leagues Valaika's contract was selected by the Orioles on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika gives the Orioles another option in the middle infield after Jorge Mateo was shut down for the year with right lumbar inflammation. He'll head straight into the starting lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, batting eighth and playing shortstop. Valaika could see regular playing time down the stretch, but he'll have to hit a lot better than the .192/.251/.280 line he managed in 72 games earlier this season if he's to have any fantasy value.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Accepts outright assignment Valaika cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Impact Valaika had served as the Orioles' preferred option at second base in July after Freddy Galvis (quadriceps) landed on the IL, but he was designated for assignment after he hit just .192 with four home runs, 21 RBI and 13 runs in 72 games this year. He was unable to land another spot on a 40-man roster and will remain in the organization.

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Booted from 40-man roster The Orioles designated Valaika for assignment Thursday.

Impact Since Freddy Galvis (quadriceps) was placed on the injured list in late June before being dealt to the Phillies last week, Valaika had settled in as the Orioles' preferred option at second base. However, the 28-year-old couldn't capitalize on the added playing time, slashing a woeful .192/.251/.280 over 212 plate appearances on the season before being booted from the 40-man roster in favor of utility man Jorge Mateo, whom the Orioles claimed off waivers from the Padres. Assuming Valaika goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll report to Triple-A Norfolk in the coming days.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Wednesday Valaika isn't starting Wednesday against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika has gone 0-for-11 with five strikeouts across his last three appearances, and he'll get a chance to reset Wednesday. Ramon Urias will start at the keystone while Richie Martin takes over at shortstop.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gaining more playing time Valaika will start at shortstop and bat seventh Sunday against the Tigers.

Impact While he'll be filling in for everyday shortstop Ramon Urias in the series finale, Valaika looks to have at least temporarily moved ahead of Domingo Leyba on the depth chart at second base. Valaika started the past two games at the position, going 3-for-8 with two RBI between those contests. Look for manager Brandon Hyde to ride the hotter bat of Valaika and Leyba the rest of the season, though neither would be an especially appealing fantasy option with regular playing time.

AUGUST 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still on bench Valaika isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika has hit just .161 with three home runs, six RBI, four runs, two walks and nine strikeouts across his last 11 games, and he'll retreat to the bench for a second straight contest. Domingo Leyba will start at the keystone and bat ninth.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Tuesday Valaika is not starting Tuesday against the Marlins, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Valaika is in the midst of a 5-for-31 funk at the plate, so he'll take Tuesday as an opportunity to try to reset. Domingo Leyba will get the start at the keystone and bat ninth.

JULY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Added to Saturday's lineup Valaika is batting ninth and playing second base Saturday against the Nationals, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Impact Valaika was initially omitted from Saturday's lineup, but he will play now that lefty Jon Lester is starting for Washington.

JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Saturday Valaika is not starting Saturday's game against the Nationals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Three hits in his last two games, each of which has been a home run, have boosted Valaika's average to .209 with six RBI in 14 games this month. He gets the day off Saturday while Domingo Leyba starts at second base and bats seventh.

JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Homers twice in win Valaika went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

Impact Valaika hadn't displayed much power to begin the year and had homered just once prior to Wednesday's loss to the Rays, but he's now homered three times across his last two appearances. The 28-year-old is now slashing .196/.257/.298 with four home runs, 18 RBI and 13 runs in 2021.

JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pat Valaika homers twice, bullpen dominates behind Jorge López to lift Orioles to 6-1 win over Nationals Pat Valaika hit two home runs, matching his season total, and Paul Fry, Cole Sulser, Tanner Scott and Dillon Tate struck out eight in 4 1/3...

JULY 24, 2021 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

Valaika homers twice to lead Orioles past Nationals 6-1

Pat Valaika homered twice to double his total for the season, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 6-1 for just their second victory in their last 11 home games

JULY 24, 2021 • Associated Press

Slugs second home run Wednesday Valaika went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays.

Impact The 28-year-old's third-inning shot to left field tied the game 2-2 before the Rays ultimately won the contest on a ninth-inning walk-off. Valaika has hit only .175 with four RBI in 13 games this month, and Wednesday's home run was his first extra-base hit since June 23. Although he's essentially an everyday player for the Orioles, Valaika has posted uninspiring numbers offensively this season, as displayed by his .188/.250/.255 slash line.

JULY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets third straight start Valaika will start at second base and bat eighth Wednesday against the Rays.

Impact Valaika will stick in the lineup for a third straight game after going 1-for-6 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in the first two contests of the series. At this point, he may have temporarily taken the top job at second base back from Domingo Leyba, though both players will start Wednesday with Leyba filling in at third base for a resting Kelvin Gutierrez.

JULY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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Matz sharp, Jays beat Orioles 6-4 to stay in wild card race

Harper's throw to plate saves Phillies' 4-3 win over O's

Realmuto's 2-run triple in 10th leads Phillies past O's 3-2

Judge starts 5-HR barrage to back Cole, Yanks beat O's 7-2

Valaika homers twice to lead Orioles past Nationals 6-1