Infielder Maikel Franco finalizes $800,000 deal with Orioles

<p>SARASOTA, Fla. &mdash; Infielder Maikel Franco and the Baltimore Orioles finalized an $800,000, one-year contract on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Franco hit .278 with 16 doubles, eight homers and a team-high 38 RBIs for the Kansas City during last year’s pandemic-shortened season.</p>
<p>The 28-year-old would get a $200,000 performance bonus if he reaches 400 plate appearances. He would get a $250,000 assignment bonus if traded.</p>
<p>He earned $1,092,593 in prorated pay from a $2.95 million salary.</p>
<p>Franco has a .253 average with 110 homers and 381 RBIs in seven major league seasons with Philadelphia (2014-19) and the Royals. He was originally signed for the Phillies by Koby Perez, now Baltimore’s senior director of international scouting.</p>
<p>Right-hander Hunter Harvey was placed on the 60-day injured list with a strained left oblique, opening a roster spot.</p>
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