Orioles sign Wade LeBlanc to minor league deal (updated)

The Orioles may have found their veteran starting pitcher to toss into the spring training competition.

An industry source confirmed tonight that left-hander Wade LeBlanc, 35, has agreed to a minor league contract and will be in camp when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 11.

The list of spring training invites released this afternoon by the club now includes LeBlanc, an 11-year veteran who's spent the past two seasons with the Mariners.

LeBlanc went 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.179 WHIP in 32 games, including 27 starts, with the Mariners in 2018. He made only eight starts among his 26 appearances last summer and registered a 5.71 ERA and 1.451 WHIP.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has been searching for a starter, whether on a major league or minor league contract. LeBlanc can earn $800,000 if he's on the team.

The bullpen also is unsettled and LeBlanc made 50 relief appearances with the Pirates in 2017. However, he figures to compete for a spot in the back end of the rotation beginning in a few weeks.

John Means, Alex Cobb and Asher Wojciechowski are the only apparent locks at the moment. The candidates beyond LeBlanc include David Hess, Kohl Stewart, Rule 5 picks Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker, Brady Rodgers and left-hander Keegan Akin.

LeBlanc made his major league debut with the Padres in 2008 and has pitched for seven teams. He's gone 45-47 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.340 WHIP in 234 games and reached his career high in innings with 162 in 2018.

The former second-round pick out of the University of Alabama is routinely on the move. He's also pitched for the Marlins, Astros, Angels, Yankees and Pirates, and spent one summer outside the U.S.

LeBlanc signed with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball prior to the 2015 season and appeared in eight games before accepting a minor league contract from the Blue Jays.

ESPN first reported the Orioles' agreement with LeBlanc and the contract terms.

Update: I'm hearing that the Orioles are still shopping for a starter. They aren't stopping after LeBlanc.