Álvarez was a member of the Washington Senators during spring training in 1963 and was expected to be the team\'s starting first baseman going into the regular season. However, Álvarez, who was born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, was forced to stay in his native country by the Cuban government. This made Álvarez incapable of reporting to the Senators who were in the United States. He later left the country during unknown circumstances and joined the Pacific Coast League after being sold by the Senators.\n', '

In 1956, Álvarez signed with the Cincinnati Redlegs (now known as the "Reds") as an amateur free agent. In his first professional season, he played the Class-C Yuma Sun Sox of the Arizona–Mexico League and the Class-B Port Arthur Sea Hawks of the Big State League. That season, he batted a combined .305 with 10 doubles, 5 triples, and 5 home runs. During the next season, Álvarez split his playing time between the Class-B Wenatchee Chiefs of the Northwest League and the Class-B Clovis Redlegs of the Southwestern League. He batted a combined .325 with 24 doubles, 7 triples, and 39 home runs. Despite only appearing in 48 games in the Southwestern League, Álvarez finished the season third in the league in home runs with 24.\n', '

In 1958, Álvarez played for the Triple-A Havana Sugar Kings of the International League. In 146 games, Álvarez batted .268 with 67 runs, 130 hits, 23 doubles, five triples, 25 home runs and 88 runs batted in (RBIs). Along with Bob Lennon, Álvarez was fourth in the International League in home runs that year. He was also fifth in RBIs. Álvarez continued playing with the Triple-A Havana Sugar Kings in 1959. That season, he batted .196 with 51 runs, 99 hits, 19 doubles, one triple, 22 home runs and 65 RBIs. Álvarez was second to last in batting average in the International League, however, he was tied for eight with Luke Easter in home runs. In 1960, Álvarez continued playing with the Havana until their move to Jersey City under the name the "Jerseys" after Fidel Castro rose to power in Cuba. With the team, he batted .254 with 134 hits, 20 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs and 72 RBIs in 151 games.\n', '

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