WASHINGTON -- When Andrew Alvarez was pitching bulk relief innings in tandem with Zack Littell, the southpaw received votes of confidence from his teammates.
“I think Alvyy is a weapon to have,” Littell said on May 20, after Alvarez pitched three innings out of the bullpen behind him. “I think you could plug him into the rotation right now and he’s just as good, if not better, than a lot of us.”
Alvarez got that opportunity on Wednesday afternoon when he made his first big league start of the season in the series finale against the Marlins. He worked 4 2/3 innings and allowed one run (a home run to Esteury Ruiz) on four hits and one walk to go with five strikeouts. Alvarez exited a tie game before the Marlins ultimately won, 4-1, to sweep the series at Nationals Park.
“He threw the ball really well,” manager Blake Butera said. “I know he got in a bit of trouble there early on, but then settled in. He did a really good job for us. He got the ball to Brad Lord, who’s been awesome for us all year, and gave us a chance to win that game.”
Alvarez debuted as a starting pitcher last September. He has held that role with Triple-A Rochester this season, including being named the International League Pitcher of the Week on April 5.
The Nationals’ pitching needs, though, called for Alvarez to throw long relief out of the ‘pen. He piggybacked both Miles Mikolas and Littell, recording the longest save in team history (2005-present), when he threw four innings against the Mets behind Littell.
But when right-hander Jake Irvin went on the 15-day injured list on May 24 because of a right shoulder strain, the Nats turned to Alvarez. He pitched behind opener Paxton Schultz on Friday, and then got the start on Wednesday.
“I’ve just been enjoying whatever they’ve been giving me out of the bullpen and if there’s an opener,” Alvarez said. “But it was nice to start.”
Alvarez has been on-call this season to work in varying roles.
- April 19 vs. Giants: Innings 5-8 (game finished); earned the win; 4 1/3 innings, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
- May 15 vs. Orioles: Innings 6-9; earned the hold; 3 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
- May 20 vs. Mets: Innings 6-9 (game finished); earned the save; 4 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
- May 24 at Braves: Innings 7-8; earned the hold; 1 1/3 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout
- May 29 vs. Padres: Innings 2-4; 3 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout
- June 3 vs. Marlins: Innings 1-5; 4 2/3 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
In the Minor Leagues, Alvarez made seven appearances -- all starts -- for Rochester. Alvarez is 2-1 with a 5.29 ERA in 34 innings with the Red Wings.
“He’s awesome,” Nationals reliever Clayton Beeter said. “His slider is unbelievable. It’s going to help him have a pretty long career. The swing-and-miss stuff that he has, to be able to do it as a starter, it’s pretty invaluable.”
Alvarez’s first start of the season came against his debut opponent. On Sept. 1, 2025, he became the first pitcher in Nationals history (2005-present) to throw at least five scoreless innings in his Major League debut.
“All in all [the difference from then to now is] having some experience under my belt,” said Alvarez, “Proving to myself that I can go out there and do it, and just continuing to trust my stuff.’