Considering the workload their bullpen has received over the first seven weeks of the regular season, the Orioles added veteran reliever J.C. Romero on a minor-league deal Thursday to boost their relief depth.
The 35-year-old left-hander was most recently with the St. Louis Cardinals and struggled immensely before being released earlier this month. Romero posted a 10.13 earned run average in 11 appearances covering a span of eight innings after signing with St. Louis in the off-season.
Though the club currently has left-handers Troy Patton and Dana Eveland in its bullpen, Romero would provide another left-handed option down the line, joining Zach Phillips at Triple-A Norfolk for the time being.
Despite his ineffectiveness this season, Romero had a 4.01 in 36 appearances with Colorado and Philadelphia in 2011. He has a career 4.15 ERA over 14 big-league seasons.
The southpaw has pitched for six organizations in his career.
