Orioles sign Pedro Alvarez and release Andrew Triggs (with B game lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' deal with Pedro Alvarez became official today. He passed his physical, signed his contract and is expected on the field for workouts.

Alvarez agreed to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $5.75 million. It includes incentives that potentially could add another $1.25 million.

Unable to secure another right fielder for their lineup, the Orioles intensified their pursuit of Alvarez as a left-handed bat that mostly fits in the designated hitter slot. He's hit 30 or more home runs twice in six seasons, with a high of 36 in 2013.

Alvarez, the second-overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, batted .243/.318/.469 with 27 home runs and 77 RBIs in 150 games last season before the Pirates non-tendered him. He's averaged 29 home runs and 177 strikeouts per season.

Infielder Ryan Flaherty was Alvarez's teammate and roommate at Vanderbilt University. They lived together in Bradenton for two spring trainings.

"I think he does a lot of things that this team's had success with over the past four years and he's obviously a powerful bat," Flaherty said. "He's a good teammate."

And a player who stayed on the free agent market into the second week of March.

"I don't think anyone's really surprised in today's game with what might happen," Flaherty said.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have released Double-A Bowie right-hander Andrew Triggs. They could attempt to re-sign him to a minor league deal, as they did two years ago after releasing left-hander Chris Jones, who came back three days later.

Players on the 40-man roster can't be designated for assignment at this early date.

Triggs was 0-3 with a 1.03 ERA in 43 appearances last season at Bowie.

Here's the B game lineup vs. the Pirates:

Xavier Avery CF
Dariel Alvarez RF
Henry Urrutia DH
Trey Mancini 1B
Alfredo Marte LF
Chance Sisco C
Michael Almanzar 3B
Garabez Rosa 2B
Adrian Marin SS

Chris Tillman RHP