WASHINGTON -- Three days after Dylan Beavers hit the injured list with a right oblique strain, the Orioles found a way to add to their organizational outfield depth.
Baltimore signed Tommy Pham to a Minor League deal on Saturday. The contract features a June 12 opt-out clause, according to a source.
Pham, 38, is a 13-year MLB veteran who has played for 10 teams -- the Cardinals (2014-18, ‘24), Rays (2018-19), Padres (2020-21), Reds (‘22), Red Sox (‘22), Mets (‘23 and ‘26), D-backs (‘23), White Sox (‘24), Royals (‘24) and Pirates (‘25). He is a career .256 hitter with 149 home runs in 1,250 games.
The Mets designated Pham for assignment on April 27. He elected free agency two days later. Pham went 0-for-13 in nine games for New York this season.
Pham played 120 games for Pittsburgh last year, hitting .245 with 17 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 52 RBIs and a .700 OPS. He was also named a National League Gold Glove finalist in left field.
"Just like any Minor League player, you’ve got to prove that you can come up here and play and produce," manager Craig Albernaz said, "and he’s going to have to produce in the Minor Leagues -- just like any of our Minor League players -- to warrant to play in the big leagues.”
Beavers, who is on the 10-day IL, has a low-grade oblique strain, but the 24-year-old could still miss a decent amount of time. His injury left Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser, Leody Taveras and Tyler O’Neill as the only primary outfielders on the O’s 26-man active roster.
Heston Kjerstad (right hamstring strain) is getting closer to a potential big league return. The 27-year-old has played six games during his Minor League rehab assignment, though it’s possible he could be optioned after the assignment concludes.