Catcher Francisco Pena, who was designated on Friday to make room for right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, cleared waivers and was back in Orioles camp on Thursday.

Pena said it was difficult waiting, unsure whether he'd be going to another club. 

“It’s tougher when you’re in a hotel room not knowing what to do,” he said. “It was good. It’s baseball. I’m not the first one to go through it, but I’m ready to go. I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to get on the field and start working with the guys.

The Orioles’ calculated risk to slide Pena through waivers paid off. Pena was taken off the 40-man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, meaning the team no longer must make a difficult roster decision this spring because Pena had no minor league options remaining. Once he cleared waivers, he had to accept an assignment to the minors because he has no previous outrights.

Pena and Caleb Joseph are both competing for the backup catcher job behind newcomer Welington Castillo, and now either one could start the season in the minors without the Orioles beign at risk of losing them.

“I’ve been in this game for a while,” Pena said. You can’t take anything as a surprise in this game. They just needed a move and it was me. I’ve been ready to go. I was playing winter ball back home in the Dominican and I never stopped working. I’m still positive and I’m ready to go. I think I’ve got a good chance with the catching situation here. Just keep working hard and show what I can do behind the plate.”

eencina@baltsun.com

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