Report: Orioles to non-tender Alberto after two years in Baltimore originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Orioles plan to non-tender infielder Hanser Alberto on Wednesday ahead of MLB’s deadline for teams to release pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players, MLB.com’s Joe Trezza reported.
Alberto, 28, was claimed by the Orioles off waivers twice over a two-month span during the 2018-19 offseason. He stuck around with Baltimore and carved out a utility role playing first base, second base and shortstop. Alberto played two seasons with the Orioles, hitting .299 with a .735 OPS and 15 home runs over 193 games.
Baltimore reached an agreement with fellow infielder Yolmer Sánchez on Wednesday to avoid arbitration and ensure the former Gold Glove second baseman wouldn’t be let go at the non-tender deadline. That effectively spelled the end of the road for Alberto despite the Orioles engaging in a reported trade with the Los Angeles Angels that shipped shortstop José Iglesias to the West Coast.
With the impending return of Trey Mancini, the Orioles’ infield situation is still coming into focus. Alberto could still return to Baltimore on a cheaper deal, but it remains to be seen what the Orioles’ starting infield will look like by the start of spring training.
