Orioles sign Jon Rauch to minor league deal

The Baltimore Orioles announced that they have signed right-handed reliever Jon Rauch to a minor league contract. Rauch, who was released by the Marlins on May 23rd, will be assigned to AAA Norfolk. The deal includes a June 18th opt out date, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

After signing a 1-year, $1 million deal with Miami in February, Rauch struggled in fifteen relief appearaces, posting a 1-2 record and 7.56 ERA. The team designated him for assignment on May 18th to make room for lefty Duane Below, who was claimed off waivers from the Tigers. After Rauch cleared waivers, the team released him instead of sending him outright to AAA New Orleans.

In eleven major league seasons with the White Sox (2002, 2004), Expos/Nationals (2004-2008), Diamondbacks (2008-2009), Twins (2009-2010), Blue Jays (2011), Mets (2012), and Marlins (2013), the journeyman has appeared in 556 games. In that time, he has accumulated a 43-40 record, 3.90 ERA, and 7.2 K/9 ratio.

Rauch will join a Norfolk pitching staff that already includes veterans Mark Hendrickson, Jair Jurrjens, and Joel Pineiro. He will serve as a depth within the organization for the Orioles, and if he pitches well in the minors, could see major league action in the Orioles bullpen as the season progresses.