Orioles, Young finalize 1-year, $2.25-million deal

The Baltimore Orioles officially announced the signing of outfielder/designated hitter Delmon Young to a one-year, $2.25-million contract Friday. 

The signing reunites Young with the Orioles after the 29-year-old spent all of last season in Baltimore. 

Young is expected to reprise his role as the team's fourth outfielder, while getting the majority of his at-bats as a DH.

The signing of Young gives the Orioles some additional depth in the outfield after losing both Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz to free agency this winter. Baltimore is reportedly in serious talks to sign outfielder Colby Rasmus, which could limit the amount of time Young features defensively. 

After agreeing to a minor-league deal with the O's last January, Young cracked the major-league roster and featured in 83 games, slashing .302/.337/.442 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs. 

In order to make room for Young on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Ryan Lavarnway for assignment. It's the fourth time he's been released from a team since Dec. 4.