masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles signed Clayton Tanner to a minor league deal and will assign him to Twin Lakes Park, where he will attempt to land a job at Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk.

“He should be in town soon,” Duquette said.

Tanner, 25, signed the deal on Sunday, after the Orioles received permission from the Australian Baseball Federation. They scouted Tanner while he pitched for Australia in the World Baseball Classic.

“He…SARASOTA, Fla. – Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles signed Clayton Tanner to a minor league deal and will assign him to Twin Lakes Park, where he will attempt to land a job at Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk.

“He should be in town soon,” Duquette said.

Tanner, 25, signed the deal on Sunday, after the Orioles received permission from the Australian Baseball Federation. They scouted Tanner while he pitched for Australia in the World Baseball Classic.

“He showed a good curveball and change-up in the WBC,” Duquette said. “He’s still pretty young. He’s a left-hander with a couple of average pitches and he can get his off-speed stuff over the plate.”

The San Francisco Giants selected Tanner in the third round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He was 0-2 with an 8.40 ERA and 50 hits allowed in 30 innings over 12 games, including four starts, with Triple-A Fresno last year. He also went 1-3 with a 4.08 ERA in 30 relief appearances with Double-A Pensacola.

In seven minor league seasons, Tanner is 52-48 with a 3.85 ERA. The Giants released him following the 2011 season, then re-signed him after the Cincinnati Reds let him go last summer.

Tanner will provide more pitching depth if he latches on to one of the affiliates. He isn’t being touted as a major signing. The Orioles liked what they saw in the WBC and figured he was worth bringing to their minor league camp.