Tigers sign former SF Giants reliever José Álvarez to milb contract
The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a minor-league contract with former SF Giants left-handed pitcher José Álvarez, according to the minor-league transactions tracker. Álvarez was a mainstay in the Giants bullpen from 2021-2022 but underwent UCL surgery late last season, right before hitting free agency. With such ill-timed injury luck, Álvarez was unable to ink a big-league contract.
SF Giants reliever José Álvarez pitches against the Brewers. (2022)
Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Álvarez was been one of the most consistent relievers in MLB from 2015-2021. Between the Angels, Phillies, and Giants, Álvarez posted a 3.15 ERA in 410 appearances, never recording an ERA above 3.88 in a single season. Despite that consistency, the southpaw had the best year of his career in 2021 with the Giants. He recorded a 2.37 ERA in 67 games (64.2 innings pitched) with a 3.15 FIP.
Slated to be one of the top southpaws in the Giants bullpen last season, Álvarez struggled mightily. His normally consistent command wavered, leading to the worst walk and home run rates of his career. In 21 appearances before he was placed on the injured list, he recorded a 5.28 ERA.
The usual recovery time from UCL surgery spans 10-16 months. According to a report by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Álvarez will not appear in a game this season but will rehab with the Tigers. Presumably, Álvarez's deal spans through the 2024 season, when he would compete for a spot in Detroit's bullpen.
The Tigers, of course, have some organizational familiarity with Álvarez since former SF Giants general manager Scott Harris was hired as Detroit's president of baseball operations last offseason. Harris has brought several players acquired during his tenure with the Giants to Detroit, and left-handed reliever José Álvarez is the latest.
