Colvin remains a free agent

The Orioles are no longer offering Tyler Colvin a major league deal following his physical, according to a source, and the outfielder remains on the free-agent market. Colvin took the physical on Jan. 15 in Baltimore, according to multiple industry sources, but no announcement was forthcoming. Speculation began almost immediately that the Orioles weren't satisfied with the results, which a source later confirmed. Colvin, 28, dealt with a disc injury in his back for the majority of the 2013 season, which could explain why he batted .160/.192/.280 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 27 games with the Rockies. He batted .275/.377/.480 with eight doubles, six triples, nine homers and 32 RBIs in 67 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs. In 2012, Colvin appeared in 136 games with the Rockies and hit .290/.327/.531 with 27 doubles, 10 triples, 18 homers and 72 RBIs. However, he posted a 1.032 OPS at home and a .687 OPS on the road. The Orioles are willing to give Colvin a minor league contract - first reported by CBSSports.com - but he will attempt to attract another major league offer. Failing to do so, he could fall back to the Orioles and receive an invitation to spring training. If this scenario sounds familiar, the Orioles also withdrew their major league offer to pitcher Jair Jurrjens last winter after concerns arose about his knee. Jurrjans signed a minor league deal with the Orioles and made one start for them last season. Colvin spent his first three major league seasons with the Cubs, who made him the 13th overall pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Clemson University. He's a career .241/.289/.454 hitter in five seasons. Executive vice president Dan Duquette never confirmed the agreement with Colvin and declined to address the subject when I contacted him last Saturday. The Orioles routinely wait until after the physical to announce a signing. Team doctors also persuaded the Orioles to back away from their two-year, $15 million offer to closer Grant Balfour after examining his right shoulder. Balfour signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Rays yesterday and worked out this morning at Tropicana Field. The Orioles currently plan to bring 11 outfielders to spring training. They had marked Colvin as the 12th last week.