The Orioles have added another player to their spring training camp, signing utility infielder Jayson Nix to a minor league deal worth $750,000 if he makes the team. He can add another $50,000 in incentives, a source confirmed.
Nix, 32, played in 41 major league games last year with three teams: the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals. He hit a combined .120 in 83 at-bats. A former supplemental first-round pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2001, Nix is a career .212 hitter in parts of seven seasons with eight different teams.
His defensive versatility has been his biggest strength; Nix has played 198 games at third base in his career, 133 at second base, 89 at shortstop, 24 in the outfield and one at first base. He will compete for a shot at the Orioles' utility infielder job.
If second-year major leaguer Jonathan Schoop remains as the club's primary second baseman as expected, Nix would be in competition with Ryan Flaherty and several others (Paul Janish, Rey Navarro) to be the main infield backup.
The Orioles now will have 57 players at the major league portion of spring training. It's possible that they could add another player or two this week -- a veteran reliever has been on executive vice president Dan Duquette's radar this month.
Pitchers and catchers have their first workout in Sarasota, Fla., on Friday.
CBSSports.com first reported the signing.