(AP) — Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly knew about Eddy Alvarez’s background as an Olympic medalist in speedskating, and also knew that didn’t necessarily mean he could hit a slider.

After all, Alvarez was a 30-year-old infielder still stuck in the Marlins’ farm system.

Then in spring training, and again during summer camp, Mattingly had a chance to check Alvarez out. And this week, Alvarez finally reached the majors.

“I told him, it was like, ‘Eddy, it’s good to have you. You’re better than I would have ever thought,'” Mattingly said with a laugh.

Alvarez put his major league dreams on hold to pursue success in speedskating, an odd choice for a youngster born to Cuban parents and raised in Miami, where ice can be hard to find.

He made the right decision, winning a silver at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. And this week he achieved another goal by making his major league debut.

“I’ve literally had dreams of that moment since I was a kid, no joke, about stepping in for my first at-bat,” Alvarez said Thursday. “But I got to skate in front of 25,000 people in an arena, and that prepared me for a future in athletics. It’s pretty similar — I had the same jitters walking in the opening ceremonies as I did hearing the announcer say it was my big league debut.”

That came Wednesday, when Alvarez started both games in the Marlins’ doubleheader sweep at Baltimore. He’s part of the Marlins’ wave of reinforcements after a coronavirus outbreak sidelined more than half their team.

A 5-foot-9 switch-hitter, Alvarez went 0 for 5 in the doubleheader. But he showed his versatility by starting the first game at second base and the nightcap at third, and he can also play shortstop.

“I expect him to be successful,” Mattingly said. “He was trying a little hard, but I think he’s going to settle down. I expect him to play well.”