Guerrero official, Simon removed from 40-man roster

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 18, 2011, 3:05am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex to introduce Vladimir Guerrero, who passed his physical and signed a one-year, $8 million deal. As expected, the Orioles moved Alfredo Simon to the restricted list to make room for the nine-time All-Star, who will serve as the cleanup hitter and regular designated hitter. Guerrero isn't likely to play the outfield in Grapefruit League games, but manager Buck Showalter will have to figure out ways to get him at-bats once interleague games begin. Simon remains in a Dominican jail while awaiting the results of the ballistics test on the gun that he turned into law enforcement officials following a New Year's Eve shooting that left one man dead and another injured. This transaction is similar to moving a player to the 60-day disabled list. Simon can return to the 40-man at any time, but placing him on the restricted list creates room for Guerrero. Simon won't collect his salary or accrue service time.