Orioles Interested in Ortiz

The Baltimore Orioles appear to be the front-runners to sign free-agent starting pitcher Russ Ortiz, according to Ortiz’s agent, John Boggs.

“We’re talking with them,” said Boggs, adding that pitching coach Leo Mazzone carries “a lot of weight” with Ortiz. “I would say at this point that they are probably the front-runner.”

The Arizona Diamondbacks released Ortiz last week after a season and a half of ineffectiveness. They still owe him $22 million on the four-year, $33-million deal he signed before last season.

Ortiz, 32, was once a workhorse for the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves. He posted his only 20-win season under Mazzone in Atlanta in 2003. But he pitched poorly from the start with the Diamondbacks, going 5-11 with a 6.89 earned-run average in 2005 and 0-5 with a 7.54 ERA this season.

“We have some interest in him,” Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan said. “But right now, there are other clubs interested in him too.”

Ortiz probably would compete for a job at the back of the Orioles’ rotation, a weak area all season. The Orioles would be responsible for the prorated portion of the minimum major league salary, which is $327,000.

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Injured first baseman Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs was scheduled to leave Friday night for a rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Iowa.

Lee took batting practice before Friday’s game at Minnesota, as he has been doing for several days, and he’ll play this weekend for Iowa, Manager Dusty Baker said.

On the disabled list since April 21 because of two broken bones just above his right wrist, Lee should be ready to return to the Cubs’ lineup next week.

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The Minnesota Twins sent injured left fielder Shannon Stewart on a rehabilitation assignment.

Stewart will join triple-A Rochester for today’s game at Louisville. On the disabled list since May 22 because of a problem in his left foot, Stewart is expected to return to the Minnesota lineup around the end of the month.

Where he will play is another matter. Normally the team’s leadoff batter, Stewart probably will get more time as the designated hitter when he comes back because rookie Jason Kubel is hitting well as the left fielder.