Alvarez (elbow) threw a scoreless inning in a rookie league game Monday, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, but he has recovered from his setback, and has been deemed ready for game action. Alvarez reached the majors in 2015 as an outfielder but did not stick, so he will now try to do the same as a pitcher.

Alvarez (elbow) said Wednesday that he expects to throw off a flat mound by the end of January, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Initially hesitant to convert from outfielder to pitcher heading into last season, Alvarez added Wednesday that he's become more accepting of the transition, even though he ultimately required Tommy John surgery in April. Once he has concluded his rehab and recovery from the elbow procedure -- likely at some point around the middle of the season -- Alvarez is expected to report to one of the Orioles' lower-level affiliates.

Alvarez (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez, who recently converted from an outfielder to a pitcher, was plagued by elbow soreness this spring and ultimately decided to undergo Tommy John surgery. He'll look to return sometime during the 2018 season.

Alvarez (elbow) agreed to a minor-league deal with the Orioles on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of Press Box Online reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez, who was released by the Orioles last week in order to open a spot on their 40-man roster, has elected to rejoin the organization on a minor-league contract. He's expected to undergo Tommy John surgery this year and will aim to return to action sometime during the 2018 season.

Alvarez (elbow) was released by the Orioles on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Following a trade that brought Andrew Faulkner to Baltimore from the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, the Orioles needed to make room on their 40-man roster. As a result they opted to part ways with Alvarez. Alvarez, who'd been a position player, was been working on becoming a pitcher, but injured his elbow in the process is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Alvarez underwent an MRI due to elbow soreness and Tommy John surgery is expected, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

EDGE Analysis

He was making the transition from being a position player to pitching, and had to be shut down earlier this spring. This has to be pretty discouraging for Alvarez, who had only started the transition at the start of this spring training, as his future is now very cloudy. He will be out until at least May or June of 2018.

Alvarez will begin working as a pitcher in minor league camp and serve as a reliever this season if all goes well, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles requested Alvarez to change positions this spring due to deep organizational depth in the outfield. After going 0-for-11 in seven Grapefruit League games, he agreed it was time to expedite the switch. The right-hander gained pitching experience during his playing time in Cuba and says his repertoire include a fastball, curveball, and slider. In addition, Manager Buck Showalter says Alvarez would be able to serve as a DH between pitching experiences, a role which would dramatically increase his usefulness to the organization. Look for the 28-year-old to open the 2017 season in a minor league bullpen as he begins this major career transformation.

Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of Press Box Online reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez has put on an underwhelming performance during Baltimore's spring games thus far and is currently 0-for-11 at the plate. While Alvarez should be a regular in the lineup at Triple-A Norfolk this coming season, it's unlikely that he'll se much time in the big club's outfield, as he's played in just 14 major league games over the last two seasons.

Alvarez has been asked by the Orioles if he'd be willing to switch from an outfielder to a pitcher, Rich Dubroff of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With nearly a dozen outfield prospects in camp this spring, Alvarez's shot at making the 25-man roster as an outfield is slim. While Alvarez's potential as a big league hitter is questionable, his arm isn't. The 28-year-old pitched in 22 games in Cuba over three seasons, according to Baseball-Reference.com. When asked what particular pitches he has in his repertoire, Alvarez said he throws a fastball, curveball and slider. He said the team has approached him about making the switch -- which was made recently and successfully by reliever Mychal Givens -- but he's not ready to do that.

Alvarez will get a chance this spring to earn an outfield reserve spot on the 25-man roster, Steve Gardner of USA Today Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez, a 28-year-old power-hitting outfielder, made his MLB debut in 2015, going 7-for-29 with a home run in 12 games for the Orioles. Last season, he appeared in just two games, hitting a double and drawing a walk in four plate appearances. The Cuban-native has smashed 31 homers and amassed 160 RBI over his past two minor league seasons split between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. Alvarez will be the underdog in a spring battle with Joey Rickard and Christian Walker for one of the team's final roster spots.