By Eduardo A. Encina The Baltimore Sun Baltimore Sun

1:23 p.m. AKST, January 3, 2013

Former Orioles infielder Omar Quintanilla has signed a minor league deal with the Mets, according to a report from ESPNNewYork.com.

The Orioles acquired Quintanilla from the Mets in July for cash and he immediately became a contributor at second base, becoming the everyday starter there from late July through mid-August. But as Quintanilla's bat cooled, he made just four starts over the regular season’s final six weeks.

Quintanilla recorded a .232/.284/.354 batting line with three homers and 12 RBIs in 36 games with the Orioles while providing steady defense at second. He was 13-for-32 in his first nine starts, hitting .406 in that span.

The Orioles did not tender a contract to Quintanilla in late November, making him a free agent. The organization still expressed interest in signing Quintanilla to aid middle-infield organizational depth.

But instead Quintanilla chose to return to the Mets. He will receive an invitation to major league spring training, according to the ESPN report.