FORMER RAM MEREDITH TRADED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES
7-20-09

BALTIMORE, Md. – After spending the last four seasons nearly 3,000 miles away from his hometown of Chesterfield, Va., former Virginia Commonwealth University baseball standout Cla Meredith is headed back east.

Meredith, who had been with the San Diego Padres since the 2006 season, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for 31-year-old utility infielder Oscar Salazar.

“We’re excited to get a young, major league-caliber relief pitcher,” said Orioles president Andy McPhail. “He gets a ton of ground balls and with the transition to the American League, I think it will be beneficial for him and us. He gives us a different look in the bullpen.”

Meredith was outstanding in his three seasons with the Rams (2002-04) before being selected in the sixth round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox.

After making a brief debut with the Red Sox in 2005, he was dealt to the Padres in 2006.

This season, Meredith has worked 36.2 innings, posting a 4-2 record over that span. He has walked just 13 while striking out 20.

For his career, he has a 14-12 record with a 3.49 ERA in 236 big-league appearances.
He is expected to join the Orioles either Tuesday or Wednesday in New York for a three-game set against the Yankees.