Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez is continuing his rapid ascension through the Orioles minor league system.
On Monday, the 24-year-old Cuban defector was promoted to Double-A Bowie and was in the Baysox's lineup against Binghamton, starting in right field and batting fifth.
In a corresponding move, the Orioles released outfielder Lew Ford. Ford, who played 25 games with the major league club last season -- and was on the postseason roster -- was playing at Bowie.
Alvarez, who reportedly received an $800,000 signing bonus when he was signed last month, was 17-for-39 in 10 games at High-A Frederick, recording a .436/.463/.641 batting line with two homers and seven RBIs. He recorded multiple hits in seven of his 10 games with the Keys.
The Orioles were considering promoting Alvarez to Bowie if the Baysox made the Eastern League playoffs, but Bowie is three games out of a playoff spot with 10 games left, so the organization decided to promote Alvarez now.
Ford, who missed most of the season because of sports hernia surgery, was 7-for-34 in nine games with Bowie since his return. He did not have an opt-out clause in his contract.