The Baltimore Orioles and pitcher Josh Banks have agreed to a minor league contract, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers were also among the teams showing interest in the 29-year-old pitcher before his new deal was agreed upon.
Last season, Banks didn't appear in the majors while spending the year pitching for Triple-A Fresno. His numbers were downright brutal, with a 7.27 ERA in 78 innings with 50 strikeouts and 22 walks. He flashed solid command, one of the traits that's allowed him to stick around the past few years, but he's had major issues with allowing home runs.
Banks last appeared in the majors in 2010, pitching four innings in a single spot start with the Houston Astros. Most of his MLB experience comes from the 2008 season, when Banks posted a 4.75 ERA over 85 innings with the San Diego Padres. Overall, the pitcher has a 5.66 career ERA in 119 MLB innings, so at this point he's nothing more than some added depth and Triple-A fodder.