Reports: Orioles agree to sign Cuban pitcher Ariel Miranda
The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to sign Cuban left-handed pitcher Ariel Miranda, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports was first to report the news, followed by MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. The deal is said to be pending a physical.
Miranda, 25, began pitching in Cuba's top professional league when he was just 17. He had a 2.77 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 24 walks in 68 1/3 innings during the 2013 season. He defected after the season and set up residency in Haiti.
Terms of the contract have not been reported, but the Orioles are free to spend as much as they want on Miranda because he is older than 23.
The Orioles have one other Cuban on their 40-man roster, outfielder Henry Urrutia.
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