Alvarez (hand) is starting Thursday against the Athletics.
Manager Dusty Baker said Alvarez was held out of the lineup Wednesday due to hand soreness -- though the slugger disputed that notion after the game -- and he'll start in left field and bat third a day later. He's recorded hits in each of his last five games and has posted a 1.069 OPS with two home runs, three doubles, six runs, two RBI, six walks and two strikeouts during that span.