Freel, who was acquired in the December trade that sent Ramon Hernandez to the Reds, met with Orioles president Andy MacPhail to discuss his role with the club, and within a week, was on the disabled list after being struck in the head by a pick-off throw to second base in Boston.

"Ryan and I talked a couple times, and he saw himself more as a National League player... and I really couldn't fault his logic," Orioles president Andy MacPhail told The Sun. "To me, you could kind of see that there wasn't going to be as many at-bats here as we originally forecast. I think this gives him a new lease, and hopefully he'll get back to the type of player he was before."

Gathright, 28, was 3-for-14 with the Cubs after batting .254 with 21 stolen bases in Kansas City last year. Much like Freel, Gathright was lost in the shuffle of a crowded outfield. He'll report to Class-AAA Norfolk, and will be among the first recalled should the club need a veteran outfield reserve.

YANKEES 4, ORIOLES 0: CC Sabathia threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout as the Yankees snapped a five-game losing streak. The Orioles put two runners on base for the middle of the lineup in the ninth, but Sabathia escaped with his first shutout as a Yankee.