Miguel Gonzalez given unconditional release

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 01, 2016, 11:20am

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The Orioles officially have parted ways with former starter Miguel Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, 31, cleared waivers this afternoon and was given his unconditional release. He becomes a free agent and may sign with any team.

Gonzalez was due to make $5.1 million this year after avoiding an arbitration hearing, but the Orioles placed him on release waivers Wednesday before he could embark on his fifth season with the club. Players released by opening day receive 45 days of pay.

Projected as a fourth or fifth starter in the rotation, Gonzalez went 1-4 with a 9.78 ERA in six outings this spring. Opponents batted .412 against him.

The Orioles weren't convinced that he could bounce back from a disappointing 2015 season and didn't want to pay him $5.1 million at Triple-A Norfolk. He has a minor league option remaining.

Gonzalez went on the disabled list twice last season. His ERA jumped from 3.23 the previous summer to 4.91, and his WHIP increased from 1.296 to 1.396.

Because Gonzalez was one of the more popular players on the Orioles, his release has upset a large number of his former teammates.

Gonzalez went 39-33 with a 3.82 ERA in 101 career games, including 95 starts, with the Orioles after signing out of the Mexican League.

The Orioles list their spring training roster at 37 players, including six non-roster invitees. However, Chaz Roe also can be removed after clearing waivers today. An announcement is pending.

In case you missed it, outfielder Hyun Soo Kim traveled to Philadelphia with the Orioles for tonight's game against the Phillies.