The Los Angeles Dodgers bench was a point of weakness during the 2021 season, and it was addressed through the signings of Eddy Alvarez, Jason Martin, Jake Lamb and Tony Wolters to Minor League contracts.
Alvarez made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020 and appeared in 24 games for them in 2021 before getting outrighted off their 40-man roster. He began the 2022 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and joined the Dodgers roster in June when Edwin Ríos was placed on the injured list due to a hamstring strain.
He filled a super utility role but largely struggled at the plate and with playing right field in the absence of Mookie Betts. Alvarez wound up being designated for assignment at the end of August and was released upon clearing waivers.
According to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Alvarez signed a Minor League contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and will be in big league camp for 2023 Spring Training:
Brewers have signed infielder Eddy Alvarez to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to major-league camp. Alvarez, believe it or not, medaled in the 2014 Olympics for the US as a short track speed skater and in baseball in the 2020 Olympics as part of Team USA.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) December 3, 2022
Alvarez was DFA’d as a corresponding move to make room for Heath Hembree on the 40-man roster. The Dodgers added Hembree and Jake Reed to their active roster prior to that day’s game against New York Mets due to needing fresh relief pitchers.
Alvarez appeared in 14 games (nine starts) for the Dodgers and went 4-for-25 with three RBI and nine strikeouts. He spent time at third base, shortstop, left field and right field.
The 32-year-old embraced learning right field on the fly and remained committed to improve after a rough performance during a loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
During his time with Oklahoma City, Alvarez batted .322/.439/.554 with nine doubles, eight home runs and 29 RBI in 47 games. He went 9-for-19 with three homers and seven RBI in five games after getting optioned to OKC in July.
Alvarez was placed on the seven-day Minor League injured list July 13 and didn’t appear in another game.
Eddy Alvarez part of Olympics history
Although Alvarez has focused on playing baseball, his background included being one of just six athletes win medals in different sports at both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Alvarez played baseball for Team USA at the Summer Olympics and earned a silver medal, which came after he previously took home silver as part of the U.S. 5000m relay speed-skating team for the 2014 Winter Games.
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