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BALTIMORE -- Steve Trachsel agreed to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who turned to a familiar face to add much-needed experience to their starting rotation.

Trachsel

Trachsel began last season with the Orioles and went 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 25 starts before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 31. The right-hander joins a youthful starting rotation for manager Dave Trembley that includes Jeremy Guthrie, Adam Loewen, Daniel Cabrera and Brian Burres.

"Steve was definitely the choice of Dave Trembley and our major league scouts," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said Monday. "They thought his professionalism and work ethic would be a good example for the young pitchers in the clubhouse."

The 37-year-old Trachsel signed as a free agent with Baltimore in February last year after the Orioles learned starter Kris Benson had a torn rotator cuff. Trachsel quickly earned a place in Baltimore's starting rotation and allowed three earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 25 starts. He had a 2.37 ERA in August before going to Cubs for infielder Scott Moore, right-hander Rocky Cherry and a player to be named.

"He did a nice job for us, especially in the end," MacPhail said.

Although Trachsel received a minor league contract, there is a letter agreement for a major league deal if he is added to the 40-man roster.

"I would be surprised if he didn't come north with us," MacPhail said.

Trachsel went 1-3 in four starts with the Cubs. His lone win, over Houston on Sept. 13, boosted Chicago back in front in the NL Central.

A 15-year major league veteran, Trachsel has a 141-154 record with a 4.32 ERA with the Cubs, Orioles, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays .

Baltimore also agreed to one-year contracts with left-hander Garrett Olson and outfielder Luke Scott.

Scott was among five players acquired from Houston in December for shortstop Miguel Tejada. Olson made his major league debut with Baltimore last season, going 1-3 with a 7.79 ERA in seven starts.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press