Orioles released OF Lew Ford.

Ford hit .231 with a .296 on-base percentage over 135 plate appearances this summer in the O's minor league system. The 37-year-old is nearing the end of his career.

Lew Ford (groin) has been cleared for baseball activities.

Ford underwent surgery on June 5 to repair a sports hernia. Initially, it was believed that the operation could sideline him for most of the season, so his quick recovery is certainly encouraging. The veteran outfielder thrived in a reserve role down the stretch in 2012.

Lew Ford will undergo groin surgery on Thursday.

It's not clear how long he'll be out, but the operation is being described as "pretty extensive." Don't expect the 36-year-old to make a contribution for the Orioles this season.

Orioles reassigned OF Lew Ford to minor league camp.

Ford batted .405 (15-for-37) with two home runs, three doubles and two stolen bases during Grapefruit League play. While the 36-year-old served as the DH for the O's during the postseason, he'll function as organizational depth in 2013.

Lew Ford belted his first home run of the spring season, helping to power the Orioles to a 6-3 victory over the Pirates on Friday.

The seventh inning homer off Vic Black was Ford's only official at bat on the game, as he also drew a walk and scored in the ninth inning. While he's having an impressive spring, hitting .429 (6-for-14) with a homer and a pair of steals to this point, he looks like a long-shot to crack the Opening Day roster. He'll likely serve as organizational depth at Triple-A.

Orioles re-signed OF Lew Ford to a minor league contract.

He'll also get an invite to spring training. Ford appeared in the majors this season for the first time since 2007 and batted .183 (13-for-71) with three homers and a .609 OPS in 25 games. He even saw some time as DH during the postseason. The 36-year-old is unlikely to crack the O's Opening Day roster unless there's an injury.

Lew Ford has elected free agency.

Ford appeared in 25 games for the Orioles, posting an underwhelming .183/.256/.352 line with three homers and four RBI. The 36-year-old outfielder will attempt to continue his career with another organization.

Orioles sent OF Lew Ford outright to Triple-A Norfolk.

Ford made his return to the big leagues this season after a four-year absence but batted just .183/.256/.352 over 25 games. He can elect free agency.

Lew Ford underwent offseason sports hernia surgery earlier this month.

Ford is expected to make a full recovery and be "without restrictions" when spring training begins in February. The 35-year-old outfielder is a non-tender candidate after hitting just .183 in 25 games with the Orioles.

Lew Ford's RBI single in the eighth inning provided the Orioles' lone run in their season ending defeat at the hand of the Yankees in Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday.

Ford, who served as the DH in the ballgame, finished 1-for-3. On the whole, he was a very useful bat for the Orioles in the series, going 3-for-8 (.375) and scoring a pair of runs. The 36-year-old outfielder could potentially return to the Orioles in a reserve role next season.

Lew Ford is in the Orioles' lineup as the designated hitter Friday.

Ford was picked off in the ninth inning Thursday after pinch-running for Jim Thome before flying out in his lone at-bat. He also started at DH against CC Sabathia in Game 1.

Lew Ford returned to action on Saturday September 29.

Lew Ford (hip) is available for Friday's game against the Red Sox.

It was originally thought that Ford had a groin injury, but an MRI showed a bone bruise in his hip. Either way, it's not a major concern. The 36-year-old outfielder is hitting just .174 (12-for-69) with three homers in 24 games with the O's.

Lew Ford is out of the Orioles' starting lineup on Tuesday evening due to a minor groin issue.

Ford was absent Monday for the same reason. He is hitting .174/.240/.348 in 24 games played this year.

Orioles purchased the contract of OF Lew Ford from Triple-A Norfolk.

It's a cool comeback story. Ford, who will turn 36 in a couple weeks, hasn't played in the majors since 2007 and played for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League the last two seasons. He earned the promotion after batting .331/.390/.550 with 11 homers and 40 RBI over 62 games for Norfolk. The O's are throwing Ford right into the fire, starting him in left field and batting him fifth Sunday.

The Orioles are expected to call up Lew Ford from Triple-A Norfolk Sunday.

Ford hasn't played in the majors since 2007, but he's earned the promotion after batting 331/.390/.550 with 11 homers and 40 RBI over 62 games for the Tides. The O's will need to make a move with the 40-man roster in order to add Ford.

Orioles signed OF Lew Ford to a minor league contract.

He's batting leadoff and playing center field for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday night. Ford has played the last two seasons with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League and hasn't appeared in the majors since 2007 as a member of the Twins. While surprising and noteworthy, it's a pure organizational depth move as the O's sort through some injuries.