Cervenka, Lee and Ripken among Orioles' minor league signings

BOSTON - The rain continues to fall at Fenway Park and the forecast remains ominous. However, there's been no word so far on a postponement and split doubleheader on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Orioles announced that they've signed right-handers Cristian Alvarado and Francisco Jiménez, left-hander Chris Lee, catchers Martin Cervenka and Daniel Fajardo, infielder Anderson Feliz, and first basemen Ryan Ripken and Wilson García to minor league contracts for the 2019 season.

Cervenka and Lee will join the roster of the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. I wrote last week that the Orioles re-signed Cervenka, 26, and he could compete for a backup job next spring.

Cervenka batted .258/.317/.457 with 22 doubles, 15 home runs and 60 RBIs in 97 games with Double-Bowie, and has impressed with his work behind the plate and physical presence.

Lee, 26, cleared waivers and was outrighted July 29, removing him from the 40-man roster. He posted a 10.64 ERA and 3.00 WHIP in five games (three starts) with Triple-A Norfolk and a 3.50 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 10 relief appearances with Bowie. Injuries have limited his time on the mound and impacted his prospect status and the Orioles want to build up his innings in the AFL.

Ripken, 25, is the son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. Playing for low Single-A Delmarva this summer in his second year in the organization, Ripken batted .241/.288/.327 with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 44 RBIs in 106 games.

Alvarado, 24, was 12-11 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 26 starts in his second season with high Single-A Frederick.

Jiménez, 23, was a combined 1-4 with a 7.36 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 25 games (one start) between Norfolk and Frederick. He had a 4.64 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 11 relief appearances with the Tides over 21 1/3 innings.

Fajardo, 23, appeared in 63 games with Frederick and batted .271/.303/.362 with five doubles, a triple, four home runs and 27 RBIs.

Felix, 26, spent most of the summer with Bowie and batted .280/.347/.410 with 19 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, 48 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 113 games. He also appeared in 12 games with Norfolk.

Felix played second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions.

The Orioles acquired García, 24, from the Phillies on May 1 in a cash transaction and he batted .295/.328/.521 with 24 doubles, 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 108 games with Frederick.