masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez has passed his physical and officially signed with the Orioles.

Alvarez, 24, will be assigned to Single-A Frederick after reporting this week to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota.

Alvarez, who signed for $800,000, played for Camaguey in the Cuban League from 2007-11 and Tuxpan in Mexico in 2012. In five seasons with Camaguey, he batted .297 (341-for-1,147) with 37 home runs and 180 RBIs. In 2011, he set career highs by batting .363/.404/.613…Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez has passed his physical and officially signed with the Orioles.

Alvarez, 24, will be assigned to Single-A Frederick after reporting this week to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota.

Alvarez, who signed for $800,000, played for Camaguey in the Cuban League from 2007-11 and Tuxpan in Mexico in 2012. In five seasons with Camaguey, he batted .297 (341-for-1,147) with 37 home runs and 180 RBIs. In 2011, he set career highs by batting .363/.404/.613 (125-for-344) with 20 homers, 22 doubles, 81 RBIs and 65 runs scored.

Last year, Alvarez hit .317/.355/.464 in 192 plate appearances for Tuxpan.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitter was born Nov. 7, 1988 in Camaguey, Cuba and was raised in Minas, Cuba.

The Orioles also made official the decision to option infielder/designated hitter Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk.

New reliever Francisco Rodriguez will wear No. 57.