Longtime Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold and veteran right-hander David Aardsma have each inked contracts with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, the Ducks announced in a pair of releases (Aardsma, Reimold). They’ll become two of the latest veterans to look to utilize the Atlantic League as a springboard back to the Majors. (Rich Hill, who pitched for the Ducks as recently as 2015, stands out as the most prominent recent success story.)
The 33-year-old Reimold enjoyed a productive stretch as a part-time player with the Orioles for the first four seasons of his career, hitting a combined .261/.338/.455 in 916 plate appearances from 2009-12. However, a back injury in 2013 that ultimately required surgery has slowed Reimold’s career in the subsequent years. Dating back to 2013, Reimold has slashed just .225/.300/.375, which includes a .222/.300/.365 batting line in 227 plate appearances with the Orioles last season.
As for Aardsma, the former Mariners closer last saw the Majors in 2015 when he pitched 30 2/3 innings of 4.70 ERA ball with a 35-to-14 K/BB ratio as a member of the Braves. Aardsma saved 69 games with the 2009-10 Mariners but saw his career derailed by hip surgery to repair a torn labrum and Tommy John surgery following that. In 337 Major League innings, Aardsma has a 4.27 ERA with 9.1 K/9 against 4.9 BB/9.
Why not? Less hectic schedule than AAA and you CAN get noticed. Newsday provides coverage and they remain an independent.