masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles signed 33-year-old right-hander Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract today. Orioles vice president Dan Duquette said they intend to get him soon into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation and he provides more depth for the major league club.

He could eventually be a long reliever working out of the Orioles bullpen.

“We agreed to terms with Joel Pineiro on a Triple-A contract,” Duquette said a few minutes ago. “He’s a winning major league pitcher. Has a good sinker and excellent…The Orioles signed 33-year-old right-hander Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract today. Orioles vice president Dan Duquette said they intend to get him soon into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation and he provides more depth for the major league club.

He could eventually be a long reliever working out of the Orioles bullpen.

“We agreed to terms with Joel Pineiro on a Triple-A contract,” Duquette said a few minutes ago. “He’s a winning major league pitcher. Has a good sinker and excellent control of two breaking pitches and a changeup. He’s down in Sarasota, Florida starting work with (rehab coordinator) Chris Correnti.”

Pineiro went 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA for the Angels last year over 145 2/3 innings. In 2010 he went 10-7 with a 3.54 ERA for Los Angeles. He was recently released by the Phillies.

“He had a physical today and is doing some work with Chris and they’ll decide how much time he needs (to get ready).

“He’s a qualified major league pitcher. He’s a winning major league pitcher. He’s 33 and we could use depth for our major league staff,” Duquette said.

“It’s important to have good pitching depth. We have a front line of pitchers here and some other pitchers at Triple-A and some others getting ready in Sarasota. It’s a long season.”

Does he have any other signings coming in the next few days?

“No. That would be no,” he said.

Duquette said it could be a quiet April in terms of player movement within the game.

“Well teams like to see what they have and evaluate their own team into May. Things pick up around Memorial Day,” he said.