Orioles re-sign Craig Gentry to minor-league deal

The Orioles have re-signed outfielder Craig Gentry to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale. Gentry will earn a $900,000 salary if he makes Baltimore’s big-league roster.

The nine-year major-league veteran posted a solid .257/.333/.386 slash line with two homers in 117 plate appearances while seeing action at all three outfield spots for the Orioles last season. He also logged 162 plate appearances for their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, hitting .243/.309/.331 with one homer.

Gentry, 34, will be up against the odds as he tries to earn a spot on Baltimore’s big-league roster to begin the season, but he’ll provide quality depth nonetheless. Trey Mancini, Adam Jones, and Joey Rickard are expected to form Baltimore’s starting outfield trio to start 2018, and DH Mark Trumbo will get some time in the outfield. Anthony Santander, a Rule 5 pick last offseason, and Austin Hays, the organization’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, are also likely to push for playing time. It’s difficult to imagine Baltimore envisioning Gentry as one of their top four or five outfield options among that group when they break camp in late March, but if the Orioles are dealt with injuries Gentry can come up and provide solid production while also acting as a veteran presence.