BALTIMORE -- Pitcher Lance Cormier and the Baltimore Orioles
agreed to a minor league contract, a move that adds depth to a
potentially thin starting staff.
Cormier went 2-6 with a 7.09 ERA in 10 games with the Atlanta
Braves last season. He was removed from the Braves' 40-man roster
in early December to make room for Tom Glavine and released less
than a week later.
The 27-year-old Cormier has a career record of 14-18 with a 5.98
ERA. He broke into the majors in 2004 with Arizona as a starter but
had his best season in 2005 as a reliever, going 7-3 in 67 games.
The right-hander could help fill out a Baltimore starting
rotation that last season was decimated by injury. Kris Benson
missed the entire year because of a torn rotator cuff, Jaret Wright
started only three games and Erik Bedard, Jeremy Guthrie and Adam
Loewen each were sidelined for an extended period.
Only four Orioles started more than 20 games, including Steve
Trachsel, who is no longer on the 40-man roster.
If added to the 40-man roster, Cormier would receive a $450,000,
one-year contract.