Pedro Alvarez making Orioles debut on Sunday (and more notes)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 12, 2016, 6:26am

Comments

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez will make his Orioles debut on Sunday against the Twins in Fort Myers. His one-year deal included a pair of gray pants.

Alvarez took batting practice on the main field and got in some extra swings while Jeff Beliveau threw live batting practice on a back field.

Earlier in the day, Alvarez and Chris Davis shared first base and performed a variety of infield drills.

Chris Tillman will make his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He threw two innings in Thursday's B game against the Pirates.

Yovani Gallardo's next start is scheduled for Monday against the Phillies in Sarasota. Kevin Gausman starts Wednesday versus the Pirates in Sarasota.

T.J. McFarland will throw off a mound on Sunday to test his left elbow, which no longer is sore. Showalter said Brian Matusz "isn't far behind" as the left-hander recovers from a strained muscle in his lower right back.

Showalter also said Jimmy Paredes, sidelined with a sprained left wrist, is making quick progress in his recovery.

Caleb Joseph worked out today and took batting practice, but he won't return to the lineup until Sunday. Showalter wanted to give him one more day.

More cuts are coming after batting practice. Showalter confirmed that left-handers Cesar Cabral and Andy Oliver were reassigned to minor league camp.

Pedro Alvarez chats with Buck Showalter around the cage at batting practice.