Orioles sign Alex Liddi to minor league deal (plus minicamp notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed Alex Liddi to a minor league deal. A team official confirmed it earlier this morning.

Liddi, 27, appeared in 49 games with Triple-A Norfolk in 2013. He spent the 2015 season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in the Royals system, batting .287/.324/.474 with 39 doubles, six triples, 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 128 games.

Liddi, a native of Italy, batted .208/.266/.370 in 61 games with the Mariners over parts of three seasons, the last in 2013.

Ashur Tolliver, Parker Bridwell, Ariel Miranda, Andrew Triggs and Donnie Hart threw bullpen sessions this morning at minicamp. Jeff Beliveau, recovered from April 20 surgery on his left labrum, impressed manager Buck Showalter with a flat-mound session.

Hart, 25, is a left-hander with a sidearm delivery who pitched last summer for Single-A Delmarva, Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, going a combined 6-2 with a 1.49 ERA in 49 games. He also allowed five runs and 16 hits in 9 1/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League, though he walked two and struck out 13.

One Orioles official suggested that Hart should move from the right side of the rubber to the left to take advantage of his delivery and the movement on his ball.

Beliveau said his shoulder feels good and he's looking forward to getting back on the mound. The Orioles won't rush him, of course.

"Everything's been on schedule since surgery," said Beliveau, who turns 29 later this month. "I'm up to about 150-feet long toss, like 20-pitch flat grounds. Going to be off the mound by the end of the month. Up to this point, everything has been where it needs to be.

"Everyone keeps telling me not to go too fast, which I'm champing at the bit to throw off the mound again. Sitting and watching baseball being played all year last year was a tough thing to do. You can't do anything. Just take it day-by-day and just see how it goes. That's the only way you can handle it.

"The original diagnosis from Dr. (James) Andrews was 10 to 12 months. I should be good for spring training. Maybe on a little different program than anywhere. I'll just play it day-by-day."

The Orioles signed Beliveau as a minor league free agent after he appeared in five games with the Rays in April.

"I like pitching in the AL East, and I did fairly well, and I think that's one of the reasons why they approached me, and I think I did have some success against these guys," said Beliveau, who's posted a 4.00 ERA in 58 major league appearances - 36 with the Rays and 22 with the Cubs.

"They saw me pitch against them and I think that's what it was. I was just looking for somewhere to play, the best opportunity, and this seemed like the best fit for me. I knew a few guys. I knew (Steve) Clevenger, but he got traded away. I actually know Ryan Flaherty pretty well. We played with the Cubs together in the minor league system. Looking forward to it, excited."