Orioles sign Brian Duensing to minor league deal

The Orioles have signed left-hander Brian Duensing to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed the deal.

Duensing exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Royals last week and they subsequently released him. They signed him as a free agent in February, released him in March and re-signed him four days later.

It just wasn't meant to be.

Duensing, 33, was 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA and two saves in 12 relief appearances at Triple-A Omaha. He allowed seven runs and 16 hits in 20 1/3 innings, with five walks and 19 strikeouts.

Left-handers were batting .219 against Duensing and right-handers were batting .209.

Duensing was 41-37 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.384 WHIP in seven seasons with the Twins spanning 354 games and 649 1/3 innings. He made 61 starts.

Duensing was 4-1 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.377 WHIP last summer in 55 relief appearances covering 48 2/3 innings. He's been used strictly in relief since making 11 starts in 2012.

Left-handers are batting .238/.289/.325 against Duensing in the majors. Right-handers are hitting .292/.352/.462.

Duensing's signing was first reported by The Virginian-Pilot.

The Orioles currently have two left-handers in their bullpen, closer Zach Britton and Brian Matusz. Matusz has allowed eight runs and 11 hits and walked seven batters in six innings since coming off the disabled list. His last appearances was May 17.

Also, the Orioles released veteran infielder Steve Tolleson after activating him from Norfolk's disabled list.

Tolleson, 32, was 2-for-20 in eight games. He had two stints on the disabled list.

Former second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder B.J. Surhoff will represent the Orioles along with director of baseball operations Tripp Norton at the First-Year Player Draft, which begins on June 9.