The Baltimore Orioles signed relief pitcher Heath Bell to a minor-league deal on Friday.
"Bell is a proven veteran pitcher with experience who has agreed to a 3a deal," Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in a text message, according to CSNBaltimore.com. "We believe he can help our major league club later this season."
The Tampa Bay Rays designated Bell for assignment earlier this month. A three-time All-Star, Bell was 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA in 13 appearances for the Rays after they acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks in December as part of a three-team trade that included Cincinnati.
Bell, 36, has 168 saves in 11 seasons with the New York Mets, San Diego, Miami, Arizona and Tampa Bay. He led the majors with 132 saves for the Padres from 2009 to '11.
FoxSports.com earlier reported the Orioles' deal with Bell.
