Alvarez has been participating in the Dodgers' minor-league camp and is expected to open the season with one of Los Angeles' affiliates, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Signed out of Cuba for $16 million as a teenager in July 2015, Alvarez never developed like the Dodgers anticipated after a promising professional debut at the rookie-ball and Low-A levels in 2016. After finishing out the 2019 season on the restricted list due to behavioral issues, Alvarez lost another year of development in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to a shoulder injury. He finally made his return to action at the rookie-level Arizona Complex League last September and is presumably preparing for an assignment to a full-season affiliate to begin 2022. Now 26 years old and without a spot on the 40-man roster, Alvarez's chances of reaching the majors have dimmed considerably, but his pedigree at least makes him an interesting name to keep an eye during the minor-league season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Clears waivers
Rotowire
Alvarez (shoulder) cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to minor-league camp, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Brewers after being unable to get loose. He's been sent for tests on his shoulder, the results of which aren't yet known. The shoulder scare was evidently enough to dissuade teams from taking a chance on him in waivers.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Set for MRI
Rotowire
Alvarez will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder in the next few days, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Alvarez was scratched from his start Friday against the Brewers for what was initially referred to as a failure to get loose. It's now been revealed that he was feeling discomfort in his shoulder/lat area. He's since been designated for assignment, though the looming medical concerns may dissuade teams from claiming him on waivers.
Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Alvarez is currently shut down as he undergoes tests to determine why he couldn't pitch Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Brewers after he couldn't get loose prior to the game. The right-hander is currently on the restricted list for behavioral issues, and it's unclear when he'll be able to make his Cactus League debut after his setback.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Alvarez was reinstated from the restricted list and designated for assignment Saturday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez was placed on the restricted list for disciplinary reasons back in September and admitted at the start of camp that he'd been "acting like a child." He reported to camp as usual despite the designation but was scratched from his scheduled start Friday because he couldn't get loose and was sent for tests to determine what was wrong. The results of those tests have yet to be made public, but Alvarez will be booted from the 40-man roster nonetheless. Whether another team wants to take a chance on a player with both injury and behavior concerns remains to be seen.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Scratched from Friday's start
Rotowire
Alvarez couldn't get loose and was scratched from Friday's scheduled start, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
He is currently on the restricted list for behavioral issues. Alvarez showed promise in the lower levels several years ago, but has struggled in every manner (performance, health, behavior) above Low-A. It is unclear when he will make his Cactus League debut.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Cleared for spring debut
Rotowire
Alvarez, who remains on the Dodgers' restricted list, is scheduled to make his spring debut in Friday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Since signing a $16 million deal with the Dodgers in July 2015, the 23-year-old right-hander hasn't provided much of a return on investment. Alvarez has topped out at the Double-A level during his first five years with the organization and pitched just 3.2 innings last season before being moved to the restricted list in September due to behavioral issues. The Dodgers will likely evaluate his performance both on the field and in the clubhouse this spring before determining whether to activate him once the minor-league season gets underway.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Seeking to resolve behavior issues
Rotowire
Alvarez has acknowledged "acting like a child" and has resolved to improve his professionalism, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.
The admission is a step forward for Alvarez, who was placed on the restricted list last season for disciplinary reasons. Per Moura, Alvarez has received help from a psychologist, buoying the likelihood that the soon-to-be 24-year-old is genuine in his desire to make personal improvements. Though Alvarez has yet to play a game at the major-league level, his youth and potent pitching arsenal lend credence to the notion he can still be an impact player with the Dodgers at some point.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Status remains cloudy
Rotowire
Alvarez reported to training camp with other pitchers but remains on the restricted list, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Per Gurnick, Alvarez has yet to be cleared to work out on the field. The 23-year-old was placed on the restricted list for disciplinary reasons last season, with reports indicating that he left his minor-league club without permission.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Placed on restricted list
Rotowire
Alvarez was placed on the restricted list for disciplinary reasons Monday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
The Dodgers didn't provide much detail on Alvarez's situation, but he won't take up a spot on the 40-man roster while on the restricted list, per Gurnick.
Alvarez was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster Tuesday.
Once considered a fairly elite pitching prospect, Alvarez's fantasy stock has plummeted in recent seasons. He has electric stuff, but struggles to throw strikes, and probably profiles better out of the bullpen long term. That said, he definitely has big-league stuff and could eventually become a late-inning reliever. If the Dodgers elect to go that route, he could reach the big leagues this summer.
Alvarez was placed on the 7-day disabled list Sunday at Double-A Tulsa due to a left groin strain.
Once viewed as one of the top starting pitching prospects in the lower minors, Alvarez has seen his stock plummet over the last year after his command took a major turn for the worse during his age-21 season. Prior to sustaining the injury, the hard-throwing Alvarez had only seen his performance suffer further in his second taste of the Double-A level, as he posted a 5.87 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and 17:20 K:BB in 15.1 innings. The groin strain probably isn't anything significant enough to alter Alvarez's long-term outlook, but his continued struggles when healthy have made it more and more likely that the right-hander will eventually be converted to a relief role.
Dodgers' Yadier Alvarez: Walks an issue since promotion to Double-A
Rotowire
Alvarez, 21, has a 4.00 ERA and 29:23 K:BB in 27 innings since being promoted to Double-A Tulsa.
The problem is clear when looking at Alvarez's stats; he has been way too wild at this level, resulting in additional baserunners and only a mediocre ERA. His stuff is overpowering enough that he still gets by at this level, but that will not be the case as he continues to ascend the organizational ladder. Alvarez oozes potential, but he remains a work in progress.
