Orioles sign Saunders to minor-league deal

The Baltimore Orioles have signed veteran outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor-league contract, the team announced Monday, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.

Saunders will report to Triple-A Norfolk. If the Orioles call him up, he'll reportedly earn $1.5 million, and could receive another $3 million in incentives, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

The 31-year-old was an All-Star in 2016 with the Toronto Blue Jays but didn't come close to replicating that production last year. Although he started the 2017 season as the Philadelphia Phillies' Opening Day right fielder, his .617 OPS in 61 games led to the Phillies releasing him in June. He then returned to the Blue Jays, spending a few months with their Triple-A affiliate before getting into 12 games with the Jays in September.

Between Toronto and Philadelphia, Saunders hit a combined .202/.256/.344 with six homers and 55 strikeouts in 73 big-league games in 2017.

In 23 career games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Saunders owns a slash line of .310/.379/.750 with 10 homers and 25 RBIs, which are, by far, his best numbers in any ballpark where he's made at least 60 career plate appearances.

Before joining the Orioles, Saunders had spent spring training with the Kansas City Royals on a minor-league deal; the Royals released him late in the spring after he failed to crack their roster. He was also briefly a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates last month.