Alvarez went 2-for-3 with three walks, launching two home runs and plating five in Thursday's Opening Day for Triple-A Norfolk.
Playing in his first minor-league game since 2011, the 30-year-old appeared far superior to the competition. Alvarez put together a fine showing in Grapefruit League play after signing an NRI deal in March. However, the wick is burning fast on his career, and hanging around Triple-A won't be appealing to Alvarez for long. Although there isn't much room for the slugger on the MLB roster, his long history of posting good power numbers at the highest level should afford him a chance with the Orioles later in the year.