Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) – Outfielder Delmon Young has returned to
the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year contract, the team officially announced
Friday.
MASNsports.com reported the deal to be worth a guaranteed $2.25 million and
could earn Young up to $3 million with incentives.
Signed to a minor league contract by Baltimore last January, Young hit a solid
.302 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in just 242 at-bats in 2014. The former
No. 1 overall pick also led the majors with a .500 average (10-for-20) as a
pinch hitter during the regular season, then delivered a go-ahead three-run
double off the bench in the eighth inning that keyed the Orioles’ Game 2 win
over Detroit in the American League Division Series.
Young may be in line for an increased role this season with Baltimore losing
AL home run champion Nelson Cruz and outfielder Nick Markakis in free agency.
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway was designated for assignment to make room for Young on
the 40-man roster.
Lavarnway, who played in 97 games for Boston from 2011-14, has been with three
different organizations since being DFA’d by the Red Sox in late November. The
Orioles claimed the 27-year-old off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, who
previously claimed Lavarnway from the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Dec. 23.
