Worley no longer pitching option for Orioles

The Orioles announced earlier today that more than 15,000 fans attended their annual FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. We've reached the conclusion. No more forums, no more autograph sessions.

No more Vance Worley in an Orioles uniform.

The Nationals announced this evening that they signed Worley, 29, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He reportedly will earn $1 million if he reaches the majors, with another $1.65 million possible in incentives.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today that the club made Worley an offer while attempting to improve its pitching depth. Duquette said a minor league deal was a likely avenue with the 40-man roster filled.

Worley was 2-2 with a 3.53 ERA in 35 games with the Orioles. He made four starts.

The Orioles non-tendered Worley at the deadline and wanted to bring him back on a club-friendly deal. He made $2.6 million last season.

Meanwhile, outfielder Hyun Soo Kim fielded questions from kids this afternoon in one of the forums. We learned that his favorite color is orange, his favorite food in the U.S. is now crab cakes - it used to be steak - and his favorite teammate is Adam Jones. However, he likes sitting next to Chris Tillman in the dugout.

One little boy asked Kim, with interpreter Danny Lee by his side, how much money he has.

"Not as much as you think," Kim replied.

Earlier in the day, Kim stopped by the media room for a quick interview session before heading to his next commitment. He's been working out in Sarasota after declining an offer to play for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic.

"I just wanted to work on my skills outside in the field because Korea is really freezing there, so there's no way that I can practice there," Kim said. "The only thing I can do is work out in the gym in Korea, so I just decided to come and get started early in the spring where it's really warm."

Manager Buck Showalter indicated again today that Kim could get more at-bats in 2017 after being used in a platoon role against right-handers.

"We have a long way to prepare for whenever the skipper asks me to do anything, that I can make sure I'm prepared, whether it's a righty or a lefty," Kim said. "I'll prepare myself to do whatever the club asks me to do."

Kim is much more comfortable in the U.S. as he approaches his second season.

"It feels like home," he said. "I can't describe it. It's a totally different year that I'm in. I know almost everybody and I'm familiar with all the places that I go to, so I feel much better than last year."