masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Pedro Álvarez has passed his physical and signed his minor league contract with the Orioles.
Álvarez is guaranteed $1 million if he returns to the majors and can make an additional $3 million based on incentives for plate appearances.
Today’s signing marks the third year in a row that the Orioles have brought Álvarez to camp – the last two on minor league contracts. He batted .313/.353/.438 with one home run in 14 games after a September call-up.
Hunter Harvey makes…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Pedro Álvarez has passed his physical and signed his minor league contract with the Orioles.

Álvarez is guaranteed $1 million if he returns to the majors and can make an additional $3 million based on incentives for plate appearances.

Today’s signing marks the third year in a row that the Orioles have brought Álvarez to camp – the last two on minor league contracts. He batted .313/.353/.438 with one home run in 14 games after a September call-up.

Hunter Harvey makes his first spring start on Tuesday, opposing the Rays’ Nate Eovaldi in Port Charlotte. Mike Wright Jr. starts Wednesday against the Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty in Sarasota. The game will air on MASN at 1:05 p.m.

The Orioles tried to pry Flaherty from the Cardinals over the winter in trade talks involving Manny Machado.

Harvey will make his first career start in a Grapefruit League game.

Hunter Harvey throws orange.png“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I’m ready to get going, ready to get back on the mound.”

And ready to stop hearing questions about his health.

The former first-round pick, still rated as a top prospect in the organization, has recovered from Tommy John surgery. He’s full-go in camp with no restrictions. The flat and half mounds are in his past.

“It’s nice to not having that hanging over you anymore,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

The line of questioning now centers on how nice it is to avoid health questions. Maybe he can dodge that one later this year.

“I can’t wait for that moment,” he said, laughing.

Though he isn’t expected to break camp with the team, Harvey will benefit from his weeks at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. With the daily interactions, he can drive home the point that he’s sound physically and deserving of consideration for a promotion later in the summer. He has something to show manager Buck Showalter and his coaching staff.

“Just that I’m healthy, back to what I was before and just feeling good,” he said.

Outfielder Jaycob Brugman is back, but not from an injury. He returned to the clubhouse this morning after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

The camp roster has increased to 64 players.

“You never anticipate these things, I guess,” Brugman said. “It’s hard to see the moves that they’re going to make. A lot of times I don’t think about it. I just try to do my thing and whatever happens happens.”

Brugman stayed in Sarasota while in limbo.

“I didn’t think it was wise to leave,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

Brugman came up with one word to describe the process. He said it with a smile.

“Boring,” he said. “I had to stay in the hotel for the amount of days I was gone. It got a little boring, but I found stuff to do and I managed.”

Brugman never wanted to leave and the Orioles were hopeful that he’d clear waivers and provide left-handed outfield depth.

“From what I’ve seen so far, I really enjoy the organization and I like what they do here,” he said. “I think it’s a good place to be.”

Brugman needs to get back into a routine. Being designated for assignment and the waiver period tend to interrupt the flow of spring training.

“Yeah, it does, but we’re baseball players and this is our job, so whatever they tell me to do I’ll do it,” he said. “If I have to play a game today, I’d be happy to. So, I’m excited to be back and try to get back in a routine.”

For the Tigers
Leonys Martin CF
Jeimer Candelario 3B
James McCann C
John Hicks 1B
Niko Goodrum SS
JaCoby Jones LF
Ronny Rodriguez DH
Jason Krizan RF
Dawel Lugo 2B

Michael Fulmer RHP