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The Detroit Tigers have signed left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarez to a minor-league contract, according to James Schmehl of MLive.com. Alvarez spent the 2012 season recovering from surgery on his left shoulder, which he had to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews in early May.
Alvarez spent the past three season in the Miami Marlins system, after being traded there by the Red Sox in 2009. Alvarez is a two-time winner of the best changeup in the Marlins' system, and is 47-38 with a 3.62 ERA in 154 minor league games.
The team also signed utilityman Kevin Russo to a minor-league contract, and reportedly gave him an invitation to major league spring training. He spent 2012 with New York's Triple-A affiliate, batting .284 with 36 RBIs and 15 stolen bases over the course of 101 games. He played 50 appearances in the outfield, played 33 games at third base, and 20 games at second base.