Colby Rasmus signs with Orioles

The Orioles addressed their need for a left-handed-hitting outfielder Wednesday, signing veteran Colby Rasmus to a one-year, minor league deal.

The addition of the 31-year-old Rasmus was the Orioles’ fourth acquisition over a seven-day span, more activity than the team had made all offseason beforehand. But with spring training games beginning Friday, the Orioles were opportunistic in signing players to value contracts.

Last week, the club surveyed left-handed-hitting outfielders who could be signed to low-risk minor league deals. Rasmus emerged from that pack as the leading candidate to pursue, mainly because — if healthy — he has the potential to help the Orioles’ outfield defense, an offseason priority for the club.

Rasmus, who was at the Orioles’ spring training complex Wednesday morning receiving a physical exam before the deal became official, will compete for a platoon spot against right-handed pitching — he had a .915 OPS against right-handers last season — and will likely see most of his playing time in right field.

Rasmus has dealt with his share of injuries over his career, especially last season. Before going on the restricted list on July 13, Rasmus landed on the disabled list on June 23 with left hip tendinitis. He also opened last season on the DL recovering from hip surgery. Still, Rasmus was productive last season when he was healthy, hitting nine homers and posting an .896 OPS in 37 games with the Rays.

Rasmus can play all three outfield positions and has put up solid defensive numbers in the past. He came up as a center fielder, but has made a successful transition to the corner spot, spending most of his time in left.

In 31 games (26 starts) last season, Rasmus had four defense runs saved. In 2016, he had 20 defensive runs saved in 119 games.