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Rasmus lands minor-league deal with Orioles

Brian Blanco / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Colby Rasmus is returning to baseball, as the veteran outfielder - who decided midway through the 2017 campaign to "step away" from the game - agreed Wednesday to a minor-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles.

"Colby Rasmus is a proven veteran player in the AL East who is a versatile outfielder with (the) power and speed to make a meaningful contribution to the 2018 Orioles," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette told Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.

Before being placed, at his own request, on the restricted list shortly before the All-Star break, Rasmus had been enjoying a strong 2017 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting .281/.318/.579 (139 OPS+) with nine home runs and seven doubles through 37 games until a hip injury sidelined him in mid-June. From that point on, he didn't play another game, as he unexpectedly announced July 13 that he'd be stepping away.

"The Rays fully support Colby's decision to step away from baseball," the club said in a statement. "We are thankful for his contributions to our team, and we wish him and his family the best as they move forward."

Neither Rasmus or the Rays disclosed the reason behind his departure.

Now, seven months later, the 31-year-old is primed to compete for a roster spot on a team that received less value from its outfielders in 2017 than all but four other clubs. Between, primarily, Adam Jones, Trey Mancini, Seth Smith, and Joey Rickard, the Orioles received just 3.2 WAR and a .748 OPS from their outfielders last year. Coming into camp, Austin Hays was projected to be Baltimore's primary right fielder in 2018.

Over parts of nine seasons in the big leagues, Rasmus, a first-round pick in the 2005 draft, owns a .749 OPS in 1,074 games split between the Rays, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and St. Louis Cardinals.

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