Watkins signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday, Melanie Newman of MASNSports.com reports.
Watkins was granted free agency Monday after he was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, but he'll return to the organization ahead of the 2022 campaign. The right-hander will serve as a non-roster invitee this spring after he posted an 8.07 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 54.2 innings across 16 appearances (10 starts) with the Orioles last year.