Orioles sign local product Adam Kolarek

The Orioles are playing the local angle again, signing left-hander Adam Kolarek to a minor league contract, according to Baseball America's transactions page.

Kolarek, 26, was born in Baltimore and attended Catonsville High School, and the Mets selected him in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of the University of Maryland. He was released on Oct. 5.

You can't get much more local than that.

Kolarek went 2-4 with a 4.43 ERA and 1.299 WHIP in 67 innings at Double-A Binghamton. He made 51 appearances, including one start.

Kolarek posted a 2.05 ERA versus left-handed hitters this season, holding them to a .185 average, and a 6.44 ERA versus right-handers, who batted .267 against him.

In six minor league seasons, Kolarek has gone 18-14 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.308 WHIP in 243 games (two starts). He's made only two appearances above the Double-A level.

Baseball America also confirmed that the Orioles re-signed infielder Corban Joseph, the brother of Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph. MASNsports.com reported it earlier this month.

If anyone is interested, left-hander Tyuyoshi Wada is a free agent after the Cubs released him. The Orioles signed him to a two-year, $8.15 million contract in December 2011, but he never pitched for them after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow in 2012.

My guess is the Wada ship has sailed with the Orioles. Call it a hunch.

And finally, the Orioles confirmed this morning that the Pirates claimed reliever Jorge Rondon off waivers. He was removed from the 40-man roster last week when the Orioles claimed pitcher Vance Worley off waivers from the Pirates.