BALTIMORE -- The Orioles made their first official tweak to their pitching staff on Wednesday, when they announced that they had signed veteran Mark Hendrickson to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. The deal, which had been reported by multiple outlets earlier this week, will lend an experienced presence to the staff and a sense of insurance to Baltimore's decision-makers.

All winter long, the Orioles have insisted that they wanted to restock their rotation with veteran arms in an effort to allow their pitching prospects more time to mature. It's unclear whether Baltimore views Hendrickson as a starter or reliever, but the southpaw has experience in both roles, and he could do a little bit of both for the Orioles over the course of the regular season.

Hendrickson, who began his career with Toronto, pitched to a 7-8 record and a 5.45 ERA last season with the Marlins. The southpaw made 19 starts and racked up a 6.09 ERA before the All-Star break in 2008, and he's posted a 5.38 ERA as a starter and a 3.11 mark as a reliever over the past three years. Overall, he has a 50-63 record with a 5.07 ERA.

Judging by his contract incentives, Hendrickson may be banking on the chance to cement a starting role. Hendrickson can earn up to $100,000 if he pitches 180 innings, and he can make another $300,000 in incentives if he makes 30 starts.

Baltimore currently has just one starter -- staff ace Jeremy Guthrie -- penciled in for a rotation slot next season. The Orioles elected not to tender Daniel Cabrera a contract earlier this month, and they will likely evaluate youngsters Matt Albers, Radhames Liz and Garrett Olson in Spring Training to determine which of the three is most capable of sealing a back-end starting job.

Albers, who's coming off a strengthening program to repair a slight tear in the labrum of his pitching shoulder, may work out best in shorter stints out of the bullpen. Manager Dave Trembley said at the Winter Meetings that Troy Patton, who underwent surgery for a similar injury to Albers, will likely need some time at Triple-A Norfolk in order to work back up to peak condition.

The Orioles have several well regarded young arms -- first-round 2008 Draft pick Brian Matusz, trade acquisition Chris Tillman and draftee Jake Arrieta, among them -- and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail would like to see them progress at their own rate. That's a luxury Baltimore hasn't been able to afford in recent years, evidenced by the cases of Olson, Cabrera and Adam Loewen.

Olson, a former second-round Draft pick, struggled in his first full season in the big leagues and will have to restate his case in Spring Training. Liz, a hard-throwing youngster, may wind up starting the season at Norfolk, and Loewen, who was signed to a Major League contract out of the Draft, has elected to retire as a pitcher after multiple injuries to his throwing elbow.

Starters Chris Waters and Brian Burres are also likely out of the mix, although they'll also be monitored for a potential long relief role during the exhibition season. Baltimore is also reportedly interested in Japanese free agent Kenshin Kawakami, who would give the Orioles another veteran presence behind Guthrie. Kawakami is expected to be pursued by several teams.

Hendrickson, who lives in nearby York, Pa., has held left-handed hitters to a .259 batting average for his career. The former basketball star at Washington State University is one of just 11 athletes to play in the Major Leagues and the NBA. Hendrickson, who stands 6-foot-9, will become the tallest player in franchise history whenever he takes the mound.