Schoop and Belfiore added to 40-man roster

The Orioles selected the contracts of infielder Jonathan Schoop and left-handed pitcher Mike Belfiore from Double-A Bowie on Tuesday afternoon and outrighted right-hander Oliver Drake to Triple-A Norfolk to clear space on the 40-man roster.

The pair of prospects were added in advance of next month’s Rule-5 Draft –protecting them from being taken by another club — and put the Orioles’ 40-man roster at capacity. Major League Baseball’s deadline to protect players is Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

“They are young, they are strong and they distinguished themselves in Double-A,” executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said of Schoop and Belfiore.

“Belfiore has had a good year. He pitched well in the California League, he pitched well in the Arizona Fall League and also in the Eastern League. And he’s very tough on left-handed hitters. Schoop can play the middle of the diamond and he can hit. He’s got some power.”

The full story is up on Orioles.com.