Orioles sign Escalona to one-year contract

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent RHP EDGMER ESCALONA to a one-year contract.

Escalona, 27, went 1-4 with a 5.67 ERA (46.0IP, 29ER) for Colorado in 2013, posting career-highs in appearances (37), innings (46.0) and strikeouts (34). He is currently fourth in the Venezuelan Winter League with a 2.10 ERA in 34.1 innings pitched over six starts.

In four major league seasons with the Rockies, he went 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA (100.0IP, 50ER) in 78 relief appearances, striking out 6.4 batters per 9.0 innings. Escalona went 19-16 with a 3.85 ERA (343.1IP, 147ER) and 8.9 K/9.0IP in 259 career relief outings over eight minor league seasons in the Colorado system. He was originally signed by Colorado as a non-drafted free agent on September 8, 2004. 

With the addition of Escalona, the Orioles now have 33 players on the 40-man roster.