Orioles Re-Sign Hendrickson

The deal has been in the works for a while, but it looks like Mark Hendrickson will be back in Baltimore on a one-year deal. He will be the second lefty in Baltimore's bullpen aside from Mike Gonzalez.

In a long awaited move, the 35-year left-hander agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal with a $1.2 million team option for 2011 that includes a $200,000 buyout, according to an industry source.

The signing is pending a physical, which has not yet been scheduled.

Hendrickson, who served various roles for the Orioles last year but is targeted for relief in 2010, would earn an additional $100,000 each year in escalating bonuses for starts made ($25,000 each for his 10th start, 12th start, 14th start and 16th start).

He earned $1.5 million in 2009, when he went 6-5 with a 4.37 ERA in 53 games (11 starts). The year-round resident of nearby York, Pa., made it no secret that he wanted to remain with the Orioles, and club president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail echoed the interest but said that he expected to fill out other parts of his roster before turning his attention to the 6-foot-9 veteran.

He didn't do much as a starter, but in relief, Hendrickson might have been the best pitcher in the bullpen. Good to see him back.