Darío Álvarez

Darío Álvarez
Álvarez pitching for the Texas Rangers in 2016
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1989-01-17) January 17, 1989 (age 35)
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 3, 2014, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2017 season)
Win–loss record6–1
Earned run average5.06
Strikeouts61
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Dominican Republic
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Team

Darío Rafael Álvarez Espinal (born January 17, 1989) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Rangers.

Career

[edit]

Philadelphia Phillies

[edit]

Álvarez signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent on January 8, 2007.[1] From 2007 to 2009 he played entirely with the Dominican Summer League Phillies. In 2007, Álvarez finished with a 1–3 record, 4.46 ERA in 11 games. In 2008, he finished with a 4–2 record, 3.23 ERA in 18 games. In 2009, he finished with a 3–4 record, 2.59 ERA in 14 games. On August 18, 2009, he was released by the Phillies.[1]

New York Mets

[edit]
Álvarez with the New York Mets in 2014

On January 13, 2013, Álvarez was signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization after spending the 2010 through 2012 seasons out of baseball.[1] He spent the 2013 season with the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones, recording a 2–4 record and 3.10 ERA in 12 appearances. He split the majority of the 2014 season between the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats, the High-A St. Lucie Mets, and the Double-A Binghamton Mets, accumulating a 10–1 record and 1.10 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 73.1 innings of work.[2]

Álvarez was selected to the 40-man roster and called up to the majors for the first time on September 1, 2014.[3] He made his major league debut on September 3 against the Miami Marlins. The Mets won the game 4–3, with Alvarez giving up an RBI single to Christian Yelich which the tied the game for the Marlins, charging Álvarez with a blown save.[4][5] Álvarez finished his rookie season with a 13.50 ERA in 4 games in 1.1 innings pitched while giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, and one home run while only getting one strikeout with a WHIP of 3.000.

Álvarez began the 2015 season with Binghamton, and after being named a mid-season All-Star, he was promoted to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. Álvarez was recalled to the majors on August 22 when first baseman Lucas Duda was placed on the disable list with a back injury.[6] On August 23 he was optioned back to the Triple-A to make room for David Wright, who was making his return from spinal stenosis.[7] He did not make a single appearance when he was called up a day earlier.

He was recalled on September 4 to be available to pitch against the Miami Marlins.[8] On September 7, Álvarez earned his first career win against the Washington Nationals by striking out outfielder Bryce Harper in the bottom of the 6th inning.[9]

On September 15, Álvarez strained his groin with one out in the eight inning against the Marlins forcing him to leave in what would be a 3–9 loss for the Mets. He had allowed 3 hits and exited the game after stumbling and failing to deliver a pitch, which resulted in a balk.[10] On September 18 it was revealed that Álvarez was headed to Port St. Lucie to rehab the groin injury he had sustained three days ago and that it was unlikely for him to pitch again in 2015.[11]

Álvarez finished the season with a 1–0 record, 12.27 ERA in 6 games in 3.2 innings pitched while giving up 5 hits, 5 runs, 2 home runs, 1 walk, and 1 balk while getting two strikeouts with a WHIP of 1.636. He was assigned to Las Vegas to begin the 2016 season. On May 23, 2016, he was designated for assignment by the Mets.[12]

Atlanta Braves

[edit]
Álvarez during his tenure with the Atlanta Braves in 2016

On May 25, 2016, Álvarez was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.[13] He was optioned to the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves, and logged a 1.13 ERA in 8 appearances for the team. On June 14, Álvarez was promoted to Atlanta.[14] In 16 major league games, he posted a 3–1 record and 3.00 ERA in 16 appearances for the Braves.

Texas Rangers

[edit]

On July 27, 2016, the Braves traded Álvarez and Lucas Harrell to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Travis Demeritte.[15][16] After two appearances with the Rangers, he was demoted to the Triple-A Round Rock Express on August 4, 2016.[17] In 10 appearances with the Rangers, Álvarez struggled to a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances. He began the 2017 season with Triple-A Round Rock, and pitched to a 2–0 record and 2.76 ERA in 20 appearances with Texas. On September 1, 2017, Álvarez was designated for assignment by the Rangers.[18] He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[19]

Seattle Mariners

[edit]

On November 30, 2017, Álvarez signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.[20]

On March 21, 2018, Álvarez was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.[21] On April 25, Álvarez was outrighted off of the 40-man roster without appearing in a game for Seattle and was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[22] In 30 games for Tacoma, the Low-A Everett AquaSox, and the AZL Mariners, Álvarez recorded a 3–0 record and 1.78 ERA before being released by the organization on August 3, 2018.

Leones de Yucatán

[edit]

On January 10, 2019, Alvarez signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins organization.[23] He was released by the organization on March 27, 2019.

On May 17, 2019, Álvarez signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. After struggling to a 17.18 ERA in 2 appearances with the team, he was released on May 31.

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

[edit]

On June 10, 2021, Álvarez signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.[24] In 17 games for Unión Laguna, he recorded a 5.14 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 2 saves across 21 innings. Álvarez was released by the Algodoneros on January 19, 2022.[25]

Guelph Royals

[edit]

On February 3, 2022, Álvarez signed with the Guelph Royals of the Intercounty Baseball League.[26] However, due to visa issues, he was unable to join the team in 2022. On March 8, 2023, Álvarez re–signed with the Royals.[27] He only appeared in two games for the team in 2023, and was released by Guelph on March 22, 2024.[28]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Dario Alvarez Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Dario Alvarez Minor, Winter, Fall & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History".
  3. ^ "Mets call up Satin, Goeddel, Centeno and Alvarez". SNY. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  4. ^ KRISTIE ACKERT (September 3, 2014). "Jacob deGrom battles as Kirk Nieuwenhuis helps power Mets in 4-3 win over Marlins". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  5. ^ "Dario Alvarez Makes Debut In Mets Win - MetsMinors.net". September 4, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Duda placed on DL, Mets recall Alvarez". SNY. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "New York Mets". ESPN.com. August 23, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "Mets will likely promote Alvarez on Friday". SNY. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "MLB Recap - New York Mets at Washington Nationals - Sep 07, 2015 - CBSSports.com". CBSSports.com. September 7, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "Alvarez left Tuesday's game due to groin injury". SNY. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "Alvarez heads to St. Lucie for rehab". SNY. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  12. ^ O'Brien, David (May 25, 2016). "Braves claim lefty reliever off waivers from Mets". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  13. ^ Bowman, Mark (May 25, 2016). "Smith needs to stay on bases during slides". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  14. ^ "Braves option Ryan Weber to minors, recall Dario Alvarez". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 14, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  15. ^ Sullivan, T. R. (July 27, 2016). "Rangers land Harrell from Braves for prospect". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  16. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 27, 2016). "Braves thrilled to reel in power prospect". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  17. ^ Baillargeon, Ryan (August 4, 2016). "Rangers get leadoff hitter back, activate Choo". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  18. ^ "Rangers Designate Marinez, Rodriguez, Alvarez; Activate Jake Diekman". September 2017.
  19. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Gonzalez, Mark (December 1, 2017). "Cubs sign LHP Dario Alvarez to 1-year contract". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  21. ^ "Mariners claim lefty reliever Dario Alvarez off waivers from the Cubs". March 21, 2018.
  22. ^ "Mariners Outright Dario Alvarez". April 25, 2018.
  23. ^ Neal III, La Velle (January 10, 2019). "Twins sign catcher Tomas Telis, pitcher Dario Alvarez to minor league contracts". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  24. ^ "Stats". milb.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "Dario Alvarez - Baseball Stats". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "ROYALS SIGN VETERAN LEFT-HANDER". theibl.ca. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "Royals Add Ex-Big Leaguer Alvarez". guelphroyals.com. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  28. ^ "2024 Transactions". theibl.ca. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
[edit]