Dontrelle Willis has dropped his grievance against the Orioles after the team granted his request to pitch as a starter in the minor leagues.

Willis left Triple-A Norfolk two weeks ago after he was told he would pitch in relief. The veteran southpaw claimed that he received permission to leave the team, but the Orioles later said that he didn't receive management's consent. He was then placed on the restricted list, which led to him filing the grievance. Willis will report to extended spring training in Florida this week in an effort to build up his workload, but given his recent results, we aren't expecting much.

Dontrelle Willis has filed a grievance against the Orioles for placing him on the restricted list rather than allowing him to sign with another team.

Willis left Triple-A Norfolk last week after they asked him to assume a bullpen role. He's claiming, in the grievance, that a team official granted him permission to leave. But Orioles GM Dan Duquette has denied that. The 30-year-old left-hander is aiming to be released from his contract.

Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports that the Orioles have no plans to release Dontrelle Willis.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed Monday that Willis was placed on the restricted list after leaving Triple-A Norfolk "without permission." Willis' agent, Matt Sosnick, told Kubatko that the southpaw was under the impression that he would get his release if he wasn't going to get a chance as a starter, so it appears there was some miscommunication somewhere along the line. Teams in Japan and Korea have interest in Willis if he's ultimately cut loose.

Orioles GM Jim Duquette confirmed Monday that Dontrelle Willis left Triple-A Norfolk "without permission."

"He just left," Duquette told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Willis apparently had a disagreement with the coaching staff at Norfolk after being assigned to a relief role. The O's have placed him on the restricted list and aren't sure whether he'll be returning to the organization.

Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports that Dontrelle Willis is on the restricted list at Triple-A Norfolk due to being unhappy with his relief role.

Kubatko says D-Train, who had been nursing a sore forearm, doesn't think a bullpen role is good for his arm. He says he "wouldn't be shocked" if the left-hander winds up being released. Willis was cut loose by the Phillies last month before catching on with the O's on a minor league deal.

Dontrelle Willis was placed on the 7-day disabled list with Triple-A Norfolk due to left forearm stiffness.

The injury isn't considered serious and Willis says it "feels like a knot." The 30-year-old left-hander signed a minor league deal with the O's last month and has allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings with the Tides.

Orioles reassigned LHP Dontrelle Willis to minor league camp.

The Orioles also sent right-hander Armando Galarraga, outfielder Scott Beerer, catcher John Hester and infielder-outfielder Steven Tolleson over to the minor league side. Willis signed a split-contract with the Orioles last week and will work as a left-handed specialist with Triple-A Norfolk.

Dontrelle Willis is expected to make his Orioles debut Saturday.

Willis is auditioning as a reliever with the Orioles after being signed to a split contract Tuesday. The 30-year-old showing diminished velocity before being released by the Phillies last week. He is expected to used in a specialist role.

Dontrelle Willis confirmed Wednesday that he's auditioning with the Orioles as a reliever.

Willis signed a split contract with the Orioles on Tuesday worth $700,000 for time spent in the majors. The 30-year-old southpaw dealt with arm fatigue and was showing diminished velocity before being released by the Phillies last week, but he said Wednesday that he feels he's healthy. It's not clear when he'll pitch in a game.

Orioles signed LHP Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that it's a split contract worth $700,000 for time spent in the majors. Willis was released by the Phillies last week after allowing five runs over 2 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out none during Grapefruit League play. It's not clear if the Orioles will use him as a starter or reliever, but he's likely to begin the season in the minors.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Orioles will sign Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract.

Willis was released by the Phillies last week after allowed five runs over 2 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out none this spring. The 30-year-old had a rough 5.00 ERA over 75 2/3 innings last year with the Reds, but held left-handed batters to a .127 batting average. He could function as starting pitching depth in the minors or the O's could move him into a lefty specialist role.

According to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, the Rockies will internally discuss whether to pursue Dontrelle Willis.

"It's tough at this point in camp, but we will take a look at it," GM Dan O'Dowd said. Matt Reynolds is expected to open the season as the Rockies' left-handed specialist, but this could fall under the "you can never have enough pitching" category. Willis held left-handed hitters to a .127 batting average in 2011 with the Reds.

Phillies released LHP Dontrelle Willis.

We were rooting for Willis to find a niche as a left-handed specialist, but he dealt with "dead arm" issues and held a 16.87 ERA in three outings this spring. At least the Phillies did him somewhat of a favor by cutting him this early in camp. He should be able to find someone willing to give him a shot on a minor league deal. Willis held left-handed hitters to a .127 batting average in 2011 with the Reds.

Dontrelle Willis returned to the mound Thursday and pitched a scoreless inning against the Braves.

Willis walked one, but he was able to eliminate the baserunner with a double play. It was his first appearance since he was rocked eight days ago and shut down with a dead arm.

Dontrelle Willis (arm fatigue) threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday.

Willis hasn't pitched since last Wednesday due to arm fatigue, but he could return to Grapefruit League action as soon as Thursday. The 30-year-old is competing for a job as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen.

Dontrelle Willis (arm fatigue) is aiming to return to Grapefruit League games this week.

"I feel great," Willis said Monday. "They have me doing some things to keep me strong. It's actually a blessing in disguise. That's the one thing about your body: Something could be fatigued and it can cause problems. It's been feeling great." He's trying to earn a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster as a lefty specialist.

Dontrelle Willis said Wednesday that he might back off his throwing program for a bit due to arm fatigue.

Willis allowed four runs on three hits Wednesday in his second Cactus League appearance. He was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract this winter and is expected to serve as a lefty relief specialist this year for the Phils.

Phillies signed LHP Dontrelle Willis to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Willis can earn more through performance-based incentives. The 29-year-old southpaw had a rough 5.00 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 75 2/3 innings this past year for the Reds, but he held left-handed hitters to a .127 batting average and .369 OPS. He'll presumably function as a lefty specialist in the Philly 'pen.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies have reached a one-year deal with Dontrelle Willis.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported earlier that the deal was "close." And now it is complete, pending a physical. Willis stands to make around $1 million in base salary and can also earn more through performance-based incentives. The 29-year-old southpaw had a rough 5.00 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 75 2/3 innings this past year for the Reds, but he held left-handed hitters to a .127 batting average and .369 OPS.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Phillies are close to a deal with left-hander Dontrelle Willis.

According to Crasnick's sources, the contract will be worth around $1 million and will also carry performance-based bonuses. Willis posted a rough 5.00 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 75 2/3 innings this past year for the Reds, but southpaws tend to get more chances than other pitchers. He'll presumably function as a lefty specialist in the Philly 'pen.