Orioles rumors: Baltimore targeting a reliever

The Baltimore Orioles are still on the hunt to add a reliever before camp opens in two weeks' time, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun:

It’s now less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota, Fla., but I still get a sense Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette isn’t done compiling his roster...

It still appears that the Orioles have interest in adding a reliever, even though the bullpen is the club’s strength. I am still hearing that club officials are keeping tabs on some relievers that have yet to sign.

The O's have been very quiet on the free-agent market this winter altogether, and their only potential bullpen additions came in the form of minor-league deals with left-handers Daniel Schlereth and Zach Braddock.

Baltimore exercised right-hander Luis Ayala's $1 million option for the coming season in October, meaning the club's entire 2012 bullpen -- which posted a collective 3.00 ERA last year -- will be reunited. That fact, however, does not necessarily preclude Duquette from adding another arm as insurance.

Related: Should Brian Matusz Stay in the O's Bullpen?

Connolly also writes (on Twitter) that the Birds watched veteran southpaw Arthur Rhodes throw a bullpen session at Camden Yards on Thursday. The 43-year-old did not pitch in 2012, but is looking to continue his career and a return to Baltimore -- where he spent the first nine years of his career -- could be a good fit if the club thinks he's up for it.

Rhodes, a 20-year vet, owns a 4.08 ERA and 2.23 K/BB ratio in exactly 900 big-league appearances.