When this offseason began, the Orioles had more than 20 of their players become minor league free agents. Some have re-signed with the club.
According to Matt Eddy, in his minor league transactions listing on Baseball America's Web site, the O's re-signed pitchers Jose Diaz, Alberto Castillo and Chris George, and catchers Steven Lerud and Michel Hernandez in December.
An O's source has confirmed these signings.
Diaz, a right-hander, went 4-0 with a 1.92 ERA last summer between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, with 16 saves in 17 chances. In 51 2/3 innings, he fanned 58. This winter in the Dominican, he is 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA over 20 games in relief.
The 35-year-old, Cuban-born Castillo has pitched with the Orioles in parts of the past three seasons, going 1-0 with a 10.13 ERA in 14 games last year. He was 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk.
George, a lefty, was 5-7 with a 4.20 ERA iin 26 games, including 20 starts, for Norfolk in 2010. He gave up 129 hits over 124 1/3 innings with the Tides.
Lerud played in 58 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, with 49 coming in Bowie. Overall, he hit .190-6-16.
Hernandez, in 58 games with Norfolk, batted .263-3-22. He hit .208 in 10 games this winter in Puerto Rico.
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