Right-hander Vance Worley has signed a minor league deal with the Marlins, according to reports from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. The righty is expected to join the rotation in Triple-A New Orleans pending completion of a physical.
Worley, 29, completed a one-year stint with the Orioles in 2016, during which he pitched to a 3.53 ERA, 3.6 BB/9 and 5.8 SO/9 in 86 2/3 innings out of the rotation and bullpen. He signed a minor league pact with the Nationals in January, but was released at the end of camp after putting up a 4.80 ERA in eight spring training appearances.
Further comments from Frisaro indicate that the right-hander was “aggressively pursued” by the Marlins when he became available last week, and the prevailing thought is that he’ll provide some much-needed depth for a fairly weak rotation this season. He’ll join Justin Nicolino, Severino Gonzalez, Stephen Fife and Scott Copeland in Triple-A, though there may be a major league role for the veteran swingman in the weeks to come.