Orioles sign Cuban left-hander Miranda

BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Orioles signed Cuban left-hander Ariel Miranda to a minor league contract Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Miranda will report to the team's minor league facility in Sarasota, Florida, then join either Single-A Frederick or Double-A Bowie, Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said.

Miranda had a 22-25 record with a 3.78 ERA over 80 appearances (64 starts) in seven seasons in the Cuban National Series.

''It's a dream come true for any Cuban baseball player to sign a professional contract with a major league organization like the Orioles,'' Miranda said through an interpreter.

Duquette did not know if Miranda will eventually be used as a starter or come out of the bullpen.

''He's got good experience and he has good pitches so we're hopeful he can help us maybe later this year or sometime next year,'' Duquette said. ''He's got a lot of really good attributes.''