Orioles agree to terms with Rasmus on minor league deal

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' search for a left-handed hitting corner outfielder has led them to Colby Rasmus.

Rasmus and the Orioles have agreed to terms on a minor league deal pending the completion of a physical, according to a source.

Rasmus, 31, could platoon in right field and back up at all three spots. He's a career .252/.318/.463 hitter against right-handers and a .211/.290/.366 hitter versus lefties.

Most of Rasmus' experience is in center field, where he's made 724 starts, but he's also started 145 games in left and 56 in right. Platoon candidates include veteran Craig Gentry, Austin Hays and Joey Rickard.

The Orioles designated Jaycob Brugman for assignment this morning to make room for Chris Tillman on the 40-man roster, but Rasmus is an immediate replacement. They also signed Alex Presley to a minor league deal earlier this week.

Rasmus is the latest in a flurry of moves within a week that also includes starter Andrew Cashner. He appeared in only 37 games with the Rays last season and batted .281/.318/.579 with seven doubles, nine home runs and 23 RBIs.

The Rays placed Rasmus on the disabled list June 23 with left hip tendinitis and on the restricted list July 13 due to a personal matter that threatened to end his career. He didn't play after June 18.

A first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2005, Rasmus is a career .242/.311/.438 hitter in nine major league seasons. The Orioles have held interest in him since manager Buck Showalter visited his home in Alabama prior to the 2015 season and he remained on their radar as camp opened earlier this month.

The Orioles made a run at Jarrod Dyson before he signed with the Diamondbacks and they've also expressed interest in Jon Jay, who remains on the market.

MLB.com first reported the agreement.