Orioles agree to minor league deal with Valencia (and notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are bringing back Danny Valencia on a minor league deal pending a medical review, according to a source. Valencia will take his physical on Saturday.

By reaching the majors, Valencia will be guaranteed $1.2 million with a chance to earn $3 million in incentives, per USA Today.

Valencia, 33, appeared in 130 games with the Mariners last summer and batted .256/.314/.411 with 19 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs and 66 RBIs in 500 plate appearances. He's also played for the Twins, Red Sox, Orioles, Royals, Blue Jays and Athletics.

The Orioles purchased Valencia's contract from the Red Sox on Nov. 28, 2012 and he batted .304/.335/.553 with 14 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 52 games in 2013. They traded him to the Royals on Dec. 18, 2013 for outfielder David Lough.

Valencia is primarily a third baseman who also has experience at first, second and the outfield corners. He doesn't play shortstop, which removes him from super-utility consideration, and he's another right-handed bat in a camp loaded with them. But he's a career .313/.370/.493 hitter against left-handers.

The Orioles already have 65 players in camp, though cuts may be imminent.

The Orioles were debating earlier this week whether to sign Valencia, according to a source. MLB.com first reported today's agreement.

Meanwhile, Miguel Castro worked two innings in a B game against the Pirates and allowed one run on Austin Meadows' long home run to right field, the ball bouncing off the roof of the batting cage. Castro was ahead 0-2 in the count to Meadows, the second batter of the game.

Castro allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three. I had him with 37 pitches, 26 for strikes. He said later through translator Ramón Alarcón that he didn't experience any discomfort in his knees or lower back.

"I felt really good," he said. "I was not expecting how good I felt today. Everything in that regard was really good. I was able to make my pitches low in the zone, which was really good, as well.

"I feel 100 percent healthy, no pain whatsoever thanks to God, so I just want to continue going out there and keep working hard."

Castro was scratched from Sunday's start against the Red Sox in Fort Myers due to the knee and back issues. He threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and was cleared for today's debut.

"I was not expecting that waiting time," he said. "It's something out of my control. I really can't control that. It's part of the game. There are ups and down, so I just try to prepare for my opportunity and take advantage when the time comes."

Manager Buck Showalter indicated that Castro's next appearance will be a start in a Grapefruit League game.

Richard Bleier and Mychal Givens each threw an inning and Eddie Gamboa also was expected to pitch.

Showalter said Chris Davis, who's the designated hitter today, is "almost back to 100 percent" after dealing with stiffness in his right forearm. Showalter also said reliever Brad Brach will pitch Saturday against the Phillies in Clearwater and outfielder Austin Hays probably won't resume playing until the middle of next week. Hays received a cortisone injection in the back of his right shoulder.

Here's the Pirates lineup for the Grapefruit League game:

Adam Frazier 2B
Starling Marte CF
Todd Cunningham RF
Josh Bell 1B
Colin Moran DH
José Osuna 3B
Bryce Brentz LF
Max Moroff SS
Jacob Stallings C

Tyler Glasnow RHP