Mariners pluck lefty reliever Alvarez off waivers

March 21st, 2018

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners added left-handed bullpen depth on Wednesday, claiming 29-year-old off waivers from the Cubs.
Alvarez pitched 20 games for the Rangers last year, posting a 2.76 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 14 walks in 16 1/3 innings. He will arrive on Thursday and be assigned to Minor League camp, but he counts on Seattle's 40-man roster, which is at 38 players.
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"We saw him a little last year, left-hander with a good arm," manager Scott Servais said. "I don't know a ton about him, but we saw him a couple games with Texas last year. We're looking for some guys that can create some depth bullpen-wise."
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Alvarez has pitched four seasons in the Majors with the Mets (2014-15), Braves ('16) and Rangers (2016-17), going 6-1 with a 5.06 ERA in 48 innings over 56 games.
The Dominican Republic native had a 7.36 ERA in seven appearances with the Cubs this spring. Alvarez signed a Major League deal with the Cubs in December, but he was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday.
The Mariners have only two left-handed relievers among the 38 players remaining in their Major League camp -- and . They lost southpaw when he was claimed by the Blue Jays on Saturday.