Orioles purchase Johan Santana's contract, place him on disabled list

Johan Santana hasn't pitched since the 2012 season. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Orioles announced that they’ve selected the contract of Johan Santana from Triple-A Norfolk and placed him on the 15-day disabled list as he continues his recovery from left shoulder surgery.

Santana could have opted out of his contract at midnight tonight. Instead, he will be added to the Orioles' 40-man roster.

The Orioles signed Santana to a minor league contract this offseason at a $3 million base salary plus $5.05 million worth of incentives.

Santana is coming off left shoulder surgery and has not pitched in the majors since 2012, but his recovery is said to be going well and he has pitched in some extended spring training sessions this year.  If he continues his progress, he could be an option for the O's within the next month or so.

MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reported that, "Technically, Santana did opt out of his minor league contract," but since the team purchased his contract, they were able to retain him and place him on the DL.

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