Rays sign reliever Julio to minor league deal

By The Associated Press
Published: June 09, 2009

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ST. PETERSBURG --

Relief pitcher Jorge Julio has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Julio will report to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. The right-hander, who appeared in 15 games earlier this season with Milwaukee, has 99 saves in 453 career appearances.

To make room on the Durham roster, the Rays released right-handed reliver Chad Orvella.

Orvella pitched in parts of three seasons for the Rays, compiling a 4-10 record and a 579 ERA. He had 20 saves for Durham in 2007 but just one career save for Tampa Bay. Orvella appeared in 10 games for the Rays in 2007, going 0-2 with a 14.63 ERA. He gave up 18 hits (including three home runs), 10 walks and 16 runs in just 8.0 innings of work.

Orvella missed the entire 2008 season after having surgery on his right shoulder.