The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-handed reliever Elvis Alvarado to their 40-man roster Tuesday, adding bullpen depth with a player signed to a split contract last month.
Alvarado, 25, is a converted outfielder who has yet to make his major league debut. He throws a 98 mph four-seam fastball and a slider that drew a 35.7% whiff rate and .125 batting average-against in the minors.
The 6-foot-4, 183-pounder converted from the outfield in 2018 while in the Washington Nationals organization. He also has played in the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers minor league systems.
Alvarado spent last season in the minors for the Miami Marlins, where he was 3-4 with a 2.79 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 11 saves in 48â…“ innings over 39 appearances last season at Triple-A Jacksonville. He had a 33.2% strikeout rate, recording 71 strikeouts against 38 walks, and allowed only two home runs.
There are now 38 players on the Pirates’ 40-man roster.
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