Luke Scott off the DH board

The Orioles won't be re-signing Luke Scott as their designated hitter. Scott has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Rays on a one-year contract, according to an industry source. The deal will become official once he passes a physical. Scott batted .220 with 11 doubles, nine homers and 22 RBIs in 64 games with the Orioles last season. He underwent surgery July 26 in Pensacola, Fla., to repair posterior and SLAP tears in his right labrum. In 2010, Scott was voted Most Valuable Oriole after hitting .284 with 29 doubles, 27 homers and 72 RBIs in 131 games. He was given the chance to be the club's regular left fielder last year, but the injury ruined his season. The Orioles non-tendered Scott over the winter after he made $6.4 million last season. They were open to negotiating a lesser deal with him, but it wasn't a priority. At least 11 teams had expressed some level of interest in Scott, who spent four season with the Orioles after coming to them in the Miguel Tejada trade with the Houston Astros. Scott told me last week that he was hitting off a tee and remained ahead of schedule in his recovery. The Tampa Bay Times first reported that the Rays were close to finalizing a deal with Scott, who will serve as their designated hitter. Tampa Bay makes its first visit to Camden Yards from May 11-13. I'll be sure to drop by the visiting clubhouse. Scott will always rank as one of my favorite players on the beat. He most definitely is one of the nicest athletes you'll ever encounter, whether or not you share his opinions on politics, religion and firearms. If you engage him in any of those topics, make sure you have lots of time. It won't be a short conversation.