Orioles reach agreement with Colvin

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reached agreement with outfielder Tyler Colvin on a major league deal, according to industry sources. The deal is pending a physical. The Orioles are expected to announce Colvin's signing Thursday morning. His physical was scheduled for later today. Colvin, 28, gives the Orioles another left-handed hitter in a crowded outfield. They currently have 12 outfielders on their spring training roster, including Colvin, who spent the past two seasons with the Rockies. Colvin batted .160/.192/.280 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 27 games last season. He batted .275/.377/.480 with eight doubles, six triples, nine homers and 32 RBIs in 67 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs. In 2012, he appeared in 136 games with the Rockies and hit .290/.327/.531 with 27 doubles, 10 triples, 18 homers and 72 RBIs. However, he posted a 1.032 OPS at home and a .687 OPS on the road. Colvin spent his first three major league seasons with the Cubs, who made him the 13th overall pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Clemson University. He's a career .241/.289/.454 hitter in five seasons. Baseball America rated Colvin as the 75th-best prospect following the 2007 season. David Lough figures to be the starting left fielder for the Orioles, but they've also added Delmon Young, Francisco Peguero, Quintin Berry, Xavier Paul and Julio Borbon. Nolan Reimold and Steve Pearce can play left field and serve as right-handed designated hitters. Henry Urrutia can play the outfield and serve as a left-handed bat in the DH slot. Jack Cust has been given a tryout at mini-camp, but his chances of making the team grew dimmer with Colvin's agreement in place. The Sun first reported the agreement with Colvin. Meanwhile, I asked executive vice president Dan Duquette whether newly signed pitcher Alfredo Aceves is a starter or reliever. "His job is to get the hitters out when he is on the mound," Duquette replied via text message. Fair enough.