Miguel Tejada Expected To Report To Sarasota

Former All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada is expected to report to Sarasota on Monday as part of a tryout for the Baltimore Orioles, according to media reports.

The 37-year-old Dominican Republic native, who's living in Ft. Lauderdale, hopes to make the Major League roster, but will first report to Extended Spring Training at Ed Smith Stadium, ESPN.com reports. Tejada could be used at third base, The Baltimore Sun reports.

This is like a second chance for Tejada after he pled guilty to misleading Congressional investigators in 2009 concerning steroid allegations while with the Houston Astros. It was a misdemeanor charge.

Tejada told The Associated Press  that he will relish the opportunity:

"I'm very happy to have reached this agreement. I feel like a child, the same as I felt when I signed my first professional contract with the Oakland Athletics out of the Dominican Republic," Tejada said.

The 37-year-old Tejada played 91 games last season with the San Francisco Giants before being released in August. He hit .239 with four homers and 26 RBIs.

"I'll take every at-bat as if it was my last and I'm going to enjoy it the best I can," he said Friday

Tejada is expected to take a physical Monday, and has not officially reached a contract agreement, MLB.com reports, "but there are terms in place provided Tejada's physical and workouts go smoothly."

Dan Duquette, Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations, told The Baltimore Sun that Tejada will be on an evaluation for seven to 10 days, and he's excited to bring him back:

“He’s interested in coming back and playing and he played pretty good defense for the Giants last year at third base,” Duquette said before Saturday’s game in Boston. “And he has been a productive right-handed bat so we’ll see if he has more to offer offensively."

Tejada played for the Orioles from 2004 to 2007, including minor league stints in 2007, then again in 2010 before being traded to the San Diego Padres. 

The next Extended Spring Training game is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, at noon against the Minnesota Twins. Games are played on Field 4. There is no charge to attend the games. Gates open 30 minutes before game time. Free parking is available in the East Lot.