Henderson Alvarez Added to the Names Competing for a 2018 Rotation Spot

Speculation about the 2018 Phillies starting rotation has so far focused on familiar names. Aaron Nola, Jared Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta, Mark Leiter, Jr., Zach Eflin, Ben Lively and Jake Thompson have all made starts for the Phils this year, and all figure to be in the fight for major league roster spots in the Spring. One name that hadn't been mention so far is right hander Henderson Alvarez. 

Alvarez made his first start for the Phillies last night, after being absent from the major leagues for over a year. Originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent, Alvarez pitched a no-hitter for the Marlins on the last game of the season in 2013 and was an All-Star in 2014.  However, his career had been plagued by shoulder injuries. 

After being named the Marlins' Opening Day pitcher in 2015, Alvarez's season ended early when he underwent shoulder surgery in July of that year. The Marlins did not tender him a contract at the end of the season, making him a free agent. Alvarez signed with the Athletics in 2016, but again underwent shoulder surgery, this time after pitching 33 innings in Oakland's minor league system. When the Athletics outrighted Alvarez in October, he elected to become a free agent. 

Alvarez did not sign a professional baseball contract in 2017 until July 14. At that time, he joined the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. In three starts, Alvarez posted an ERA of 2.84 with eight strikeouts and six walks over 19 innings.

The Phillies then decided to give Alvarez a chance, signing him to a one year minor league contract. Starting against the Athletics, he gave up two home runs in the fourth inning, but otherwise looked good through five innings with four strike outs and four hits. Manager Pete Mackanin  took Alvarez out in the sixth, after he allowed two base runners. When Edubray Ramos gave up a grand slam to Joey Wendle, two of those runs were charged to Alvarez. 

The Phillies are not expecting Alvarez to return to his All-Star form. But he is being given the rest of the season to show what he can do. After this season, Alvarez becomes a free agent. If he impresses the Phillies, his name might just be added to the list of pitchers competing for a rotation spot in the Spring. 

William J. Kovatch, Jr. 

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