Alvarez set to join O's in Texas

KANSAS CITY -- Dariel Alvarez will join the Orioles in Texas this weekend and is one of several roster moves expected by Baltimore on Friday, including adding Steve Clevenger back from the paternity list.

Alvarez, 26, is a batting .275/.305/.424 with 24 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 72 RBIs in 130 games at Triple-A Norfolk and was expected to be part of roster expansion. Instead, he'll come a few days early, giving the O's another right-handed bat as they get set to face a trio of Rangers lefty starters.

Alvarez is batting .316 over his past 10 games and, while his strikeouts have been a concern, he has shown better plate discipline as of late. The Cuban outfielder has a strong arm and will join an already well-regarded Baltimore defense.

As for a corresponding move, the club optioned reliever Jorge Rondon to Triple-A following Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Royals.