TORONTO -- The Orioles announced prior to Friday's game that they signed right-handed pitcher Logan Ondrusek and designated Chaz Roe for assignment to clear a roster spot.
The 31-year-old Ondrusek was available out of the bullpen for the series opener against the Blue Jays. He last pitched in the Major Leagues for the Reds in 2014.
"Logan was with Cincinnati and he's been working out and is ready to go," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He pitched real well over there and has a lot of experience here in the States, too. He was one of the better relief pitchers over there. So we were able to add him through a lot of diligent work by a lot of people.
"He is, we hope, just another quality guy down there that has a fresh arm and is ready to go. He's shown a background being able to defend himself against left-handed hitters, which has been a challenge for us. Evidenced by yesterday['s loss] in Minnesota. [We're] hoping he can help us in that department."
Ondrusek went 8-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 102 games with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Central League over the last two seasons, including a 3-1 record and 2.45 ERA in 30 games this season. In 281 career Major League games, Ondrusek is 21-11 with a 3.89 ERA and 214 strikeouts in 270 2/3 innings.
"Ondrusek is a proven Major League pitcher with good stuff, and we believe he can help our Major League club now," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said.
Roe, 29, went 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA and 11 strikeouts in nine games for the Orioles this season. He allowed four earned runs over 9 2/3 innings.