--RHP Brad Hennessey, a five-year major league veteran who spent the bulk of the 2008 season in the minors, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles. Hennessey opened the year in the Giants' bullpen but was shipped to Class AAA Fresno in early May after posting an 12.94 ERA in 11 appearances. He went 7-10 with a 4.83 ERA in 21 starts with Fresno, then had a 4.44 ERA in six big-league appearances (four starts) in September. Hennessey will be invited to the Orioles' major league spring training camp.
--INF Donnie Murphy signed a minor league deal with the Orioles, who will invite him to spring training. Murphy played in 46 games for Oakland this year, hitting .184. --3B Melvin Mora underwent a minor operation on his right shoulder but should be ready for spring training. Mora said he is "fine now" after having a small arthritic portion of his clavicle removed.
--LHP George Sherrill told reporters he'd be comfortable with acting as RHP Chris Ray's setup man, should the club choose to return Ray to the closer's role. Sherrill admitted he'd prefer closing after an All-Star 2008 campaign, and he suggested closer-by-committee systems do not work.
--RHP Daniel Cabrera met with team orthopedist John Wilckens in the Dominican Republic, The Sun reported. Cabrera's sprained right elbow appears to be healed, though he has yet to begin baseball activities.
--RHP Dennis Sarfate has regained a full range of motion in his right shoulder after undergoing surgery six weeks ago to repair a fractured right clavicle. He's planning to being throwing in mid-December, The Sun reported.
--C Ramon Hernandez could be done in Baltimore. The veteran catcher's contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, and top prospect Matt Wieters is expected to get a long look at catcher in spring training.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Orioles who filed for free agency (INFs Juan Castro and Alex Cintron, 1B Kevin Millar and OF Jay Payton).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It has Baltimore written across it, so it's something that is good for the fans and good for us. You look back at all the guys that have worn the jerseys like Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, and it's something special." -- Orioles RF Nick Markakis on the team's new road uniforms, which Markakis modeled alongside Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer on Nov. 12.
