David Lough signs with Phillies (and other notes)

Former Orioles outfielder David Lough has signed a minor league deal with the Phillies that includes an invitation to spring training. The club made the announcement this afternoon.

The Phillies front office is loaded with former Orioles executives, including newly hired senior director of baseball operations Ned Rice.

The Orioles non-tendered Lough on Dec. 2 rather than offer him a contract for the 2016 season. He immediately became a free agent.

Lough, who turned 30 this month, made $525,500 last year while batting .201/.241/.313 with one double, one triple, four home runs and 12 RBIs in 84 games. He was designated for assignment on Aug. 14, accepted his outright assignment and had his contract purchased on Sept. 24.

In two seasons with the Orioles, Lough batted .227/.280/.354 with seven doubles, four triples, eight home runs and 28 RBIs over 196 games. He has plus-speed, but he stole only 10 bases in 19 attempts.

The Orioles acquired Lough from the Royals on Dec. 18, 2013 for infielder Danny Valencia. One of his highlights was the two-run walk-off home run that he hit off Red Sox closer Koji Uehara on April 25.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette would like to add another outfielder, but the club apparently didn't show any interest in bringing back Lough.

Notes: Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim received his work visa over the weekend and flew to Los Angeles. I'd expect him to be an early arrival at spring training.

Former Orioles first-round pick Matt Hobgood remains a minor league free agent, but he may throw for teams in the next few weeks.

Hobgood is long tossing from 150 feet and said his arm feels great. The next step is getting back on a mound.

The Orioles signed former Calvert Hall pitcher Tim Sexton to a minor league contract.

Sexton, 28, pitched last year for the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The former 25th-round pick of the Dodgers is 34-59 with a 5.08 ERA in eight minor league seasons.

Zion Lutheran Church will hold its sixth annual Hot Stove baseball talk on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the church's sanctuary at 2215 Brandywine Lane in York, Pa.

This year's special guest is Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock, who has been with the organization since 2008 and served as the team's interim general manager for part of the 2015 season. Prior to joining the Phillies, Proefrock spent three years as the Orioles director of baseball administration/assistant general manager.

Other speakers include Mel Antonen of MASN, SI.com and Sirius/XM, and former Baltimore Sun baseball writer Dan Connolly, author of "100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die."

The panelists will present their thoughts on the upcoming season and answer questions from the audience. Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be accepted to benefit the church's youth ministry program. Inscribed copies of Connolly's book will be available for sale after the event.

For more information, contact the church at 717-767-4673.