Johan Santana is reportedly close to signing a minor league deal with the Orioles.
The left-hander was seen Monday at Orioles camp in Sarasota and, according to several reports out of Baltimore, met with team officials about a contract.
The Yankees were among seven teams keeping an eye on the 34-year-old, who topped out at just 81 mph when he threw at a workout in Fort Myers last week. Their interest was tepid given Santana’s injury history.
Santana hasn’t pitched since 2012 after having a second surgery last April on a torn capsule in his left shoulder. Santana, a two-time Cy Young winner with the Twins, pitched four seasons for the Mets. He was bought out for $5.5 million this offseason after the Mets declined a $25 million option. Santana is the only pitcher in franchise history to throw a no-hitter.
Twins GM Terry Ryan said last month that Santana wouldn’t be ready to pitch until mid-season.
MLB Network Radio was the first to report Santana was at the Orioles’ facility.