Orioles sign Chris Dwyer to minor league deal (updated)

On what's amounting to another slow news day as we venture deeper into the afternoon, I'll pass along that the Orioles signed left-hander Chris Dwyer to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America's transactions page.

The Royals chose Dwyer, 27, in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of Clemson University. His only major league appearances came in 2013, when he pitched in two games in relief and allowed two hits in three scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Dwyer has spent four seasons at Triple-A Omaha. He was 3-3 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.674 WHIP in 33 games (10 starts) last season, averaging 5.4 walks and 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

In seven minor league seasons, Dwyer is 41-44 with a 4.59 ERA and 1.479 WHIP.

Dwyer could give the Orioles another left-hander for Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen. They re-signed Cesar Cabral in November and acquired C.J. Riefenhauser and first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo from the Mariners in December for catcher Steve Clevenger. They also signed Jeff Beliveau to a minor league deal.

The 40-man roster also includes left-handers Chris Jones and Chris Lee, who could be part of Norfolk's rotation. I have no idea what the Orioles are doing with T.J McFarland, who still has a minor league option.

The Orioles re-signed Ashur Tolliver in November and invited him to minicamp. He went 1-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 39 games (two starts) with Double-A Bowie last season and could move up to the International League.

Another left-handed candidate for Norfolk's bullpen was eliminated last month after Zack Dodson was suspended 100 games without pay for a third positive test for a drug of abuse.

Update: Dwyer will attend the minor league minicamp.