BALTIMORE — The wait is over for former first-round pick David Dahl, who was poised to make his big league debut Monday night with the Colorado Rockies.

Colorado selected Dahl's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque earlier Monday. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder was in the starting lineup, batting sixth and in left field in the opener of a three-game series against the Orioles.

"He's earned it. He deserves it," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "And he's here because we feel like he can help us win games. He's having a heck of a season and put himself in position to get this call-up."

Dahl, the 10th overall pick in the 2012 draft, travelled across the country before arriving at Camden Yards around 5 p.m.

"It sort of hasn't hit me," Dahl said. "I'm just trying to just enjoy this experience."

Dahl batted .484 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 16 games with Albuquerque. He provides the Rockies with a valuable left-handed bat and is able to play all three outfield positions.

Dahl's promotion will enable Weiss to give regular centre fielder Charlie Blackmon occasional rest.

"David has played all three (outfield positions), but I think centre field is his primary," Weiss said. "But I don't even know if I can say that because he's played so much of all three spots. We probably look at him like a centre fielder that can play the corners. But yeah, he gives us some versatility and the opportunity to get Charlie off his feet."

Earlier this season, Dahl appeared in 76 games for Double-A Hartford and hit .278 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. Dahl was picked by the Rockies four years ago out of Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

In a corresponding move, the Rockies designated outfielder Brandon Barnes for assignment.