The Orioles signed outfielder Ramón Laureano to a one-year deal Tuesday with a team option for the 2026 season, the team announced. He will earn a $4 million salary this year, according to a source with direct knowledge of the terms.

Baltimore designated infielder Luis Vázquez for assignment to create space on its 40-man roster.

Laureano, 30, hit .259 with 11 home runs and eight stolen bases in 98 games last season across separate stints with the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves. After being released by the Guardians in May, he joined the Braves on a minor league deal and resurrected his career, posting an .832 OPS the rest of the way.

An original 16th round draft pick of the Astros in 2014, when Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias worked in Houston’s front office, Laureano spent the first 5 1/2 years of his MLB career with the Athletics. He appeared to be a budding star over his first few seasons but received an 80-game performance enhancing drug suspension in 2021 for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Injuries further limited his time on the field and he struggled to regain his form, ultimately landing him on waivers during the 2023 season. A strong second half with Cleveland helped earn a one-year, $5.15 million contract to avoid arbitration for 2024, but a slow start prompted his eventual release and change of scenery in Atlanta.

Despite his encouraging performance with the Braves, they nontendered Laureano at the start of the offseason with him due for another raise in arbitration. With just over a week before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, he joined an Orioles club that already acquired three outfielders this offseason in addition to having Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Heston Kjerstad on the roster.

The Orioles signed Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract ahead of the winter meetings in what has been their largest offseason splash to date. They also acquired Daz Cameron in a cash trade with the Athletics and signed the switch-hitting Dylan Carlson to a one-year, $975,000 deal, though Carlson still has minor league options.

All four of the outfielders the Orioles signed this offseason share one thing in common: their platoon splits favor them against left-handed pitching. With starting right fielder Anthony Santander leaving via free agency and former left fielder Austin Hays being traded at last summer’s deadline, the Orioles’ outfield lacked an imposing right-handed bat. Cowser, Mullins and Kjerstad all hit from the left side.

Laureano’s addition did muddle the Orioles’ projected opening day roster. Cowser, Mullins and O’Neill were virtual locks, but Baltimore would have to carry five outfielders for both Laureano and Kjerstad to make the team. Doing so would limit the Orioles to one backup infielder, which would squeeze either Ramón Urías or Jorge Mateo out of a spot unless the latter begins the season on the injured list still recovering from his August elbow surgery.

Elias didn’t rule out any last-minute moves at a Birdland Caravan volunteer event last week, saying, “We still have time on the clock before the offseason is over.” Whether he was referring to Laureano or teasing something bigger remains to be seen.

The Athletic was first to report Laureano’s salary.

Around the horn

Former Orioles reliever Danny Coulombe, whose team option was declined this offseason, landed with his former club the Minnesota Twins on a one-year, $3 million deal, according to multiple reports. The left-hander posted a 2.56 ERA across two seasons in Baltimore.

Infielder Jacob Amaya, designated for assignment by the Orioles to make room for Carlson, was claimed by his former team the Chicago White Sox on Monday. The Orioles originally claimed Amaya from Chicago in January.

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