Greg Allen elects free agency

The Orioles announced that outfielder Greg Allen declined a minor league assignment in favor of free agency. He’d cleared outright waivers after being designated for assignment on Saturday when the O’s called up prospect Dylan Beavers.

Allen had a brief stay with Baltimore. He’d signed a big league contract on August 8, a couple days after being granted his release from a minor league deal with the Cubs. He made seven appearances but went 0-14, striking out five times while grounding into a pair of double plays. Allen probably wouldn’t have been long for the roster even if he’d played well in a tiny sample.

The O’s were planning to promote Beavers around the middle of August. At that point, he’d spend fewer than 45 days on the MLB roster and would remain rookie eligible next season — potentially allowing the team to recoup a draft pick if they carry him for a full service year and he plays well enough to earn awards consideration. Baltimore also welcomed Colton Cowser back from a minimal injured list stint on Sunday. Allen was always going to be a stopgap outfielder.

This marked Allen’s first MLB action in two years. He last appeared in the big leagues with the Yankees, suiting up 22 times during the ’23 season. Allen’s speed and ability to cover all three outfield positions has gotten him to the majors in parts of eight seasons, almost always as a fourth or fifth outfielder. He was hitting .270/.355/.440 in Triple-A with the Cubs earlier in the year and should land elsewhere on a minor league deal.