Alford was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Sunday.
Alford was reinstated from the injured list Friday after missing the first two weeks of the season with a sprained wrist, but he's quickly lost his place on the 40-man and 28-man rosters after going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in his first two games. Beau Sulser had his contract selected by the Pirates in a corresponding move.