The Los Angeles Dodgers called up utility man Eddy Alvarez on Friday night, with infielder Edwin Ríos going on the Injured List due to a right hamstring strain.
And referring to Alvarez as versatile would be underselling his range of athletic prowess.
In 2014, Alvarez won the silver medal on Team USA at the Sochi Winter Olympics for the 5,000-meter relay in speed skating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Z_rAQhvnc
So, that makes for quite the unique baseball player.
And Alvarez also won a silver medal for baseball with Team USA in 2021 at the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Alvarez, 32, made his major-league debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020. Over 2020-21, he played in 36 games with the Marlins, putting together a .188/.287/.287 slash line with one home run in 115 plate appearances.
At Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, Alvarez has put together a .304/.430/.500 slash line with five home runs and an excellent 13.4 walk percentage. He brings the ability to play all over the infield, as well as the outfield corners.
Alvarez joins a Dodgers team that has an NL-best record of 34-17 and is currently viewed as the World Series title favorite per FanGraphs and FiveThirtyEight. Maybe he’ll add a ring to his very impressive collection of sports jewelry.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.