PRESS RELEASE
The Orioles Friday announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Luis Ayala to a one-year contract with a club option for 2013.
Ayala, 34, posted a 2.09 ERA (56.0IP, 13ER) in 52 appearances for the Yankees last season. In seven major league seasons, he has gone 31-41 with a 3.47 ERA (446.1IP, 172ER) for Montreal/Washington, the Mets, Minnesota, Florida and the Yankees.
To clear room for Ayala on the 40-man roster, outfielder Matt Angle has been designated for assignment. Angle, 26, batted .271/.347/.344 in 108 games for Triple-A Norfolk in 2011 before joining the Orioles for 31 games.
The Orioles also announced that they have signed first baseman Nick Johnson to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Outfielders Xavier Avery and L.J. Hoes and catcher Dane Sardinha have also been invited to big league camp.
Johnson, 33, played in 55 games for Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in the Cleveland organization in 2011. He owns a .401 on-base percentage over nine seasons (794 games) in his major league career.
Avery, 22, batted .259/.324/.343 in 138 games for Double-A Bowie last season.
Hoes, 21, batted .305/.379/.413 in 95 games with the Baysox in addition to 41 games with Class-A Frederick.
Sardinha, 32, appeared in 15 games for the Phillies and 29 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season.
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