O's sign reliever Shuey to minor league deal

The Orioles yesterday signed right-handed reliever Paul Shuey to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. A 10-year major league veteran, Shuey has made only one professional appearance in the past three seasons due to a labrum problem in his right hip.

Shuey, who has a 45-27 career record with a 3.57 ERA in 451 games, last pitched in the majors for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003. In 2004, he suffered a damaged tendon in his right thumb in spring training and spent the entire season on the disabled list. He signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians in 2005 but made only one appearance for Double-A Akron before retiring.

Shuey worked out for an Orioles scout in North Carolina earlier this offseason and threw in front of Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan last week at Camden Yards.

The Orioles also announced yesterday that they have added a split-squad game on March 28 against the Washington Nationals in Viera, Fla. That day, the Orioles also will play their final spring training home game at Fort Lauderdale Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals.