Philadelphia Phillies sign Henderson Alvarez to minor league deal
By Tim Haberin
Henderson Alvarez looks to be the Phillies’ latest reclamation project. The former All-Star and no-hit artist hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2015.
Henderson Alvarez hasn’t pitched in a big league game since May of 2015, but the Philadelphia Phillies will take a chance on the right-hander. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Phils have agreed to a minor league contract with Alvarez that will pay him $750,000 if he is called up to the major league roster.
Despite not appearing in the majors in over two years, Alvarez is still just 27 years old and has some legitimate success to fall back on. He tossed a no-hitter for the Miami Marlins in the final game of the regular season in 2013, subduing the Detroit Tigers on 99 pitches while issuing just one walk and a hit batter. Not bad for a 23-year-old at the time.
Alvarez carried that momentum into the following season, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 3.36 K/BB ratio over 187 innings (30 starts) in 2014. He also led the majors that year with three complete game shutouts. Alvarez earned a trip to the All-Star Game for his efforts and even garnered some Cy Young votes at the end of the campaign. He truly seemed like a young ace in the making.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed Alvarez’s promising career. He made just four outings in 2015 (not great ones either, managing a 6.45 ERA over 22.1 frames) before landing on the disabled list with inflammation in his shoulder and elbow. Alvarez underwent shoulder surgery in July, ending his season. He attempted to come back with the Oakland A’s the following year but eventually needed another procedure on his shoulder.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Alvarez signed with the independent Long Island Ducks last month in another effort to return to baseball. He’s put up a strong 3.09 ERA over seven starts, though his 1.50 WHIP and 0.93 K/BB in 32 innings are a bit more concerning. Granted, he’s likely still getting his feet back under him after seeing such inconsistent game action over the past couple years.
This move makes a lot of sense for a rebuilding club like the Phillies. Alvarez is certainly still young enough to have something left in the tank, and his past achievements at the big league level – albeit over a relatively short span of time – are tempting enough to want to roll the dice. Heyman reports that his velocity has reached up to 98 mph while with the Ducks.
If Alvarez can stay healthy (admittedly a big “if”), he could provide another intriguing option for the Phillies’ rotation moving forward. Aaron Nola has emerged as the leader of the staff this year, while Jerad Eickhoff, Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin have also made contributions. Several other possibilities wait in the minors as well.
Next: Questions ahead for Reds, Cozart
Alvarez fits the bill as yet another arm under the age of 30. He could also be a potential fit in a bullpen role. His 98 mph would play well there, though he’s never been a strikeout guy at all (career 4.7 K/9).
All in all, it’s a solid buy-low risk for the Phils. They’ll get a look at Alvarez over the remainder of the season and decide whether they want to include him in their future plans.