Orioles re-sign Craig Gentry to minor league deal (updated)

The Orioles are bringing back outfielder Craig Gentry and increasing the number of invites to major league camp.

Gentry has agreed to a minor league deal, according to a source, and will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He can earn $900,000 if he makes the club, as first reported by USA Today.

Manager Buck Showalter expressed his interest in Gentry, 34, during last month's minicamp in Sarasota. Though the veteran doesn't solve the need for a left-handed hitting outfielder, he offers defensive skills at all three spots and can run.

Talks with Gentry gained momentum yesterday and culminated today in a deal.

Gentry signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on Feb. 20 and he appeared in 77 games, batting .257/.333/.386 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 117 plate appearances. He was outrighted in May to create a spot for catcher Welington Castillo, who was coming off the disabled list, and was limited to pinch-running duty in September after fracturing his right middle finger.

The latest signing could have a direct impact on Joey Rickard and Austin Hays, also right-handed hitting outfielders who can back up at all three spots. Rickard and Hays, the latter a top prospect, can be optioned. Otherwise, Gentry will provide depth at Triple-A Norfolk.

Anthony Santander, a switch-hitter, retains Rule 5 status for the first 44 days of the season and would have to clear waivers and be offered back to the Indians, who likely would take him.

Gentry is a career .261/.334/.338 hitter in parts of nine major league seasons with the Rangers, Athletics, Angels and Orioles. He's made 322 appearances in center field, 114 in left and 82 in right. He also pitched an inning for the Rangers in 2012 and allowed two runs.

The Orioles won't plug him into the rotation.

Nineteen minor league invitees were announced last week and Gentry brings the total to 20. The group includes young outfielders Cedric Mullins and DJ Stewart.

Update: The Orioles also signed left-handers Élvis Araujo and David Holmberg to minor league deals that don't include spring invites.

Araujo, 26, spent last summer with the Chunichi Dragons in the Japanese Central League and posted a 6.48 ERA in 8 1/3 innings. He's 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA and 1.613 WHIP in 72 relief appearances with the Phillies.

Holmberg, 26, was a second-round pick of the White Sox in 2009. He's 5-10 with a 5.49 ERA and 1.680 WHIP in 51 major league games, including 19 starts, with the Diamondbacks, Reds and White Sox.

Holmberg made seven starts among his 37 appearances with the White Sox in 2017. He registered a 4.68 ERA and 1.682 WHIP for the season.