R. J. Alvarez

Career

R. J. Alvarez attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, and played college baseball at Florida Atlantic University. In 2010, he pitched for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named an All-Star. After starting games as a freshman and sophomore, he moved to the bullpen before his junior season. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim drafted him in the third round of the 2012 MLB draft.

San Diego Padres

In 2013, he posted a 2.96 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 48 2/3 innings. Baseball America ranked him the Angels' fourth-best prospect before the 2014 season, which he began with the Arkansas Travelers. On July 19, 2014, the Angels traded him to the San Diego Padres with José Rondón, Taylor Lindsey, and Elliot Morris for Huston Street and Trevor Gott. He was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2014, and made his MLB debut on September 3.

On December 18, 2014, the Padres traded him and Jesse Hahn to the Oakland Athletics for Derek Norris, Seth Streich, and an international bonus slot. In 21 appearances in 2015, he posted a 9.90 ERA. The Chicago Cubs claimed him off waivers on June 11, 2016, and assigned him to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. On September 10, 2016, the Texas Rangers claimed him off waivers, but two days later they removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to the Triple-A Round Rock Express.

Miami Marlins

He spent the 2018 season with Round Rock, making 45 relief appearances with a 3.68 ERA, 44 strikeouts, and 24 saves over 44 innings. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018. On November 26, 2018, he signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins that included a spring training invitation. He made 50 relief outings for the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, compiling a 4.70 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 15 saves.

Boston Red Sox

He elected free agency on November 4, 2019. On December 20, 2019, the Boston Red Sox signed him to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, but he did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Sox released him on August 26, 2020. On April 4, 2021, he signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

New York Mets

On March 1, 2022, he signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. On July 1, 2022, he was selected to the active roster after Chris Bassitt was placed on the COVID-19 injured list. He was designated for assignment on July 28 and sent outright to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. On August 16, his contract was selected again, but after pitching 2 1/3 innings and giving up 3 earned runs, he was designated for assignment the next day.

He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Syracuse on August 20. In 40 games with Syracuse, he registered a 3.55 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 4 saves. He elected free agency on October 9, 2022.