Henderson Alvarez expected to start Sunday for Phillies
The Phillies signed right-handed pitcher Henderson Alvarez, a five-year major league veteran, to a minor-league contract back on August 11.
Alvarez, 27, was pitching for the independent Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League,when the Phillies signed him in August. He had a 3.09 ERA in 32 innings, making seven starts, going 2-1 with the Ducks. He went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in 19 innings over three starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Alvarez hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since May 2015, when he went 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA in four starts for the Miami Marlins. In 2014, he went 12-7 with a 2.65 ERA for the Marlins, making the National League All-Star team.
Alvarez has never been able to regain that All-Star form in large part because of injuries, missing most of two seasons with shoulder issues.
He had right shoulder surgery in July of 2015 and ultimately underwent a second shoulder surgery in September of 2016.