Willis signs Minors deal with Orioles

In the Orioles’ continuing efforts to stockpile pitching, the club signed lefty Dontrelle Willis to a Minor League deal on Tuesday night.

Willis, who signed a non-guaranteed one-year deal with the Phillies this winter, was released several days ago after making just three Grapefruit League appearances. He allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings this spring and dealt with some arm soreness before Philly pulled the plug and granted him free agency. .

The National League Rookie of the Year in 2003, Willis has won four games since 2008, but at 30 years old, he’s still enough for clubs to take a gamble. He was 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA with the Reds last year but he held left-handed hitters to a .127 average, prompting the Phillies to sign him as a potential reliever.

It’s unclear what role the Orioles envision Willis in and whether or not they will stretch him out to be  a starter. The signing was first reported on Twitter by ESPN.com and Willis’ agency, Sosnick Cobbe , confirmed the report on their Twitter feed.