Alvarez gets extra rest for elbow, will start Tuesday

MIAMI -- Everything checked out and Henderson Alvarez is ready to make his next start. It just will be one day later than initially planned.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Friday that Alvarez's elbow is fine, and the right-hander will start on Tuesday against the Rays at Marlins Park.

Alvarez, who experienced some stiffness in his elbow during his start on Wednesday at Washington, was lined up to go on Monday. Instead, he will get one more day to prepare.

Randy Wolf is scheduled to start on Monday in the opener of the two-game series against Tampa Bay at Marlins Park.

"He was checked out by the doctor," Redmond said. "He will pitch on Tuesday. Wolfy will go on Monday."

Alvarez did some light throwing on flat ground on Friday afternoon and said he was fine. On Saturday, he will throw a 15-20 pitch bullpen session. Barring any setback then, he should be ready for Tuesday in the finale vs. the Rays.

"I'll throw a bullpen and I'll see how it feels," Alvarez said.

Alvarez threw five shutout innings at Washington on Wednesday in a no-decision at Nationals Park. Miami won, 8-5, in 10 innings.

During the outing, the righty expressed to pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and Redmond that his elbow was a little stiff.

The Marlins stressed the decision to pull Alvarez after 62 pitches was precautionary. Miami's rotation already took a major blow with the season-ending elbow injury to ace Jose Fernandez, who underwent Tommy John surgery a few weeks ago.

Although Alvarez is just 24, and this is just his fourth big league season, he is a major piece in the rotation. He opened the season in the No. 3 spot, and he is 2-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 11 starts.

The Marlins are confident at this point that Alvarez's elbow is not a serious issue.

Alvarez did note that his arm also didn't feel right at San Diego during his start on May 11. The right-hander said that day the discomfort was more in his biceps. At Washington, it was more of an elbow issue.

"Sore elbow throughout the course of that game," Redmond said. "That happens sometimes with pitchers."