Catcher Michel Hernandez has signed a minor league deal with the Orioles, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Hernandez, 31, spent most of the last two seasons in the Rays organization after getting acquired in Aug 2008. He ended up making the Rays postseason roster during their World Series run in 2008, and was solid in a backup role last season when Shawn Riggans spent most of the year on the disabled list.
Hernandez hit .242 with a homer and 12 RBI in 35 games in 2009, and was 9-for-46 in 55 games for Triple-A Durham. With the Rays 40-man roster stacked with catchers, Hernandez would have probably had a tough time getting a lot of playing time with Tampa Bay.
With the Orioles, Hernandez can go into spring training and try to battle for the backup job behind Matt Wieters.
Thomas Gemkow is the editor-in-chief of TampaBayRaysFan.com. Founded in January of 2009, TampaBayRaysFan.com is a compilation of all the best of the Rays, from across the web. The website can be followed on Twitter
