O's pick up Wallace, Ayala in addition to Adams

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles signed Brett Wallace to a Minor League deal on Sunday and will send the former Astros first baseman to Minor League camp.

Wallace, once a highly regarded prospect, was released by Houston on March 12. The 27-year-old had only two hits in 14 plate appearances this spring. He's hit just .242/.313/.391 over parts of four seasons in the Majors, but put together excellent offensive numbers in the Minors. Wallace has posted a .309/.383/.499 slash line in parts of six Minor League seasons.

The Wallace signing, along with Saturday's addition of infielder David Adams on a waiver claim from the Indians, figures to bolster the Orioles' corner-infield depth. Wallace has played first and third base, and Adams has played first, second and third.

Adams was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, and he is expected to report to the Orioles' Minor League Spring Training complex when he arrives Monday.

"Adams has played a lot of different positions," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "You can never have enough of those guys."

Baltimore also officially announced that right-hander Luis Ayala, who's been around Ed Smith Stadium for the last few days, has been signed to a Minor League contract and will report to Minor League camp. Ayala went 1-1 with a 2.90 ERA over 37 relief appearances with the Braves last season after the Orioles traded him to Atlanta on April 10.