Paredes homered and drove in five runs in Monday's Grapefruit League game and manager Buck Showalter notes defense is looking better this spring, MASN Sports reports.

Of the Orioles in camp who have not secured a roster spot, Paredes has the best bat. The problem is his defense. Ryan Flaherty and Everth Cabrera are superior defenders to Paredes. What could help Paredes is that he is out of minor league options. If he cannot make Baltimore's roster, Paredes would be exposed to waivers and another team might take a chance on his bat. Paredes is 9-for-21 with seven RBIs this spring.

Paredes went 1-for-2 with a double and made a nice defensive play in Tuesday's spring training game, according to MASN Sports.

Paredes will battle for one of the final roster spots this spring. Tuesday's game was a nice start. Paredes his .302 with two home runs and six extra-base hits in 53 at-bats after being acquired late in the season, but defense was not his calling card. The diving stop he made Tuesday is more significant than his double.

Paredes will draw his third straight start at third base Thursday against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

With Manny Machado out for the season and Chris Davis under suspension, Paredes appears to have emerged as manager Buck Showalter's preferred option at the hot corner. He's slashed an excellent .333/.360/.542 over his 15 games with the Orioles thus far, putting him in strong position to claim a utility role on the postseason roster.

Paredes went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base in Saturday's loss to the Yankees.

Paredes could see an increase in playing time over the last couple of weeks of the season with Chris Davis suspended. Davis had been filling in some at third base, but Paredes has now started two games in a row at third.

SOMETHINGWRONGWITHTHISLINK

Paredes saw action in a few games with the Royals earlier this season, but he may have walked into an opportunity for playing time following a trade to the Orioles. After entering Friday's game to play third base for the injured Steve Pearce, Paredes started at the hot corner Saturday with Chris Davis moving to first base in each instance. Pearce remains day-to-day, but Paredes appears to have moved ahead of Ryan Flaherty on the depth chart.

Paredes was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Paredes didn't exactly swing his way to a promotion, as he hit just .258/.286/.394 in 32 games after joining Norfolk, but he provides the team with some added depth and versatility. Paredes played five different positions in the minors this season -- second, third, short, left and right -- and will likely remain in a utility role over the remainder of the regular season.

Orioles acquired INF Jimmy Paredes from the Royals for cash; optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Paredes was designated for assignment by Kansas City over the All-Star break. He has posted a decent .305/.332/.457 batting line with 17 stolen bases in 65 games this season at the Triple-A level, but the 25-year-old has never had much success in the majors.

Royals designated INF/OF Jimmy Paredes for assignment.

The move was made in order to add Jason Frasor to the 40-man roster. It's the second time since February that Paredes has been designated for assignment. He's hit .305/.332/.457 with 17 steals at Triple-A this season and could draw some interest on waivers.

Royals optioned OF Jimmy Paredes to Triple-A Omaha.

The 25-year-old continues to bounce back and forth between the Royals and the minor leagues whenever they need an extra man on the bench. In nine games with the Royals he has gone 2-for-10 (.200) while swiping a pair of bases and scoring three runs.

Royals recalled UTIL Jimmy Paredes from Triple-A Omaha.

Paredes was hitting .327/.357/.486 with three home runs, 17 RBI, and six stolen bases in 26 games this season at the Triple-A level. He'll see some action at third base but isn't a great fantasy bet in mixed leagues. The 25-year-old owns a .583 OPS in 122 games in the bigs.

Royals optioned OF Jimmy Paredes to Triple-A Omaha.

Paredes failed to record a hit in his two-week stay with the major league club. He was sent out Monday to to clear a roster spot for outfielder Lorenzo Cain, who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move.

Jimmy Paredes was called up from the minors on Friday April 18.

Royals optioned OF Jimmy Paredes to Triple-A Omaha.

Paredes was claimed off waivers from the Orioles in mid-February but wasn't able to secure a 25-man roster spot this spring in Royals camp. He will function as organizational outfield depth this year for Kansas City.

Royals claimed UTIL Jimmy Paredes off waivers from the Orioles.

The O's claimed Paredes off waivers from the Marlins last week, but he's now headed over to Royals camp. The 25-year-old utilityman hit just .192/.231/.248 in 135 plate appearances last season for the Astros and is doubtful to make Kansas City's Opening Day roster.

Orioles claimed UTIL Jimmy Paredes off waivers from the Marlins.

The 24-year-old utilityman struggled with the Astros in 2013, slashing a mere .192/.231/.248 in 135 plate appearances, but has the ability to play multiple infield and outfield positions. He'll compete for a bench role with the O's.

Marlins designated INF/OF Jimmy Paredes for assignment.

Paredes had been claimed off waivers by the Marlins earlier this offseason. He's a great athlete but has struggled to a .234/.274/.311 batting line across his first 396 big league plate appearances. It's possible the 25-year-old could again be scooped up on waivers.

Marlins claimed UTIL Jimmy Paredes off waivers from the Astros.

Paredes hit .192/.231/.248 in 135 plate appearances this year for Houston while appearing at third base, second base and in right field. The 24-year-old will serve as organizational depth for the Fish in 2014.

Astros recalled OF Jimmy Paredes from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Paredes will serve as outfield depth for the Astros. He's hitting .181/.230/.248 over 105 at-bats with the big club this season.

Astros optioned OF Jimmy Paredes to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Tough room. Paredes was just recalled on August 1, going 1-for-4 on Thursday before being sent back down. The move was made to clear a spot for Sunday's starter Brad Peacock. Paredes will likely be back up at some point before the season ends.

Astros recalled OF Jimmy Paredes from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Paredes is taking the roster spot left vacant by Bud Norris, who was traded to the Orioles at Wednesday's July 31 deadline. Paredes is not fantasy-relevant.