Orioles sign Matt Harvey to minor-league contract

The Baltimore Orioles signed right-hander Matt Harvey to a minor-league contract, the team announced Friday, according to MASN's Steve Melewski.

He'll earn $1 million in the majors, according to The Athletic's Dan Connolly.

Harvey spent the 2021 campaign with the Orioles, posting a 6-14 record with a 6.27 ERA in 28 starts.

The one-time All-Star is expected to report to extended spring training to build up his innings, according to MASN's Roch Kubatko.

Harvey's status remains in question after he admitted in February to using cocaine, Percocet, and oxycodone throughout his playing career. His testimony came during a criminal trial related to the death of former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Harvey could be suspended for at least 60 days, an MLB official said in February.

"Obviously, it's a very unique situation right now with everything that he was involved with that came to light over the winter," Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday.

"I think, from our perspective, he did a lot to help us last year. I know his stat line wasn't the prettiest, but the innings that he threw, the luck that he had, and - I think most importantly for us - the pro and the teammate that he was in helping us get through a very difficult season was something that we wanted back. We feel like he might provide us depth, and he might be able to help us."

Harvey was a dominant pitching force for the New York Mets in 2012, 2013, and 2015, but his career has been derailed by injuries and inconsistent performances over the past several years.