Darío Rafael Álvarez Espinal (born January 17, 1989) is a Dominican professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
who is a free agent. He has previously played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) for the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
,
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
, and
Texas Rangers.
Career
Philadelphia Phillies
Álvarez signed with the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
as an amateur free agent on January 8, 2007.
From 2007 to 2009 he played entirely with the
Dominican Summer League Phillies. In 2007, Álvarez finished with a 1–3 record, 4.46 ERA in 11 games. In 2008, he finished with a 4–2 record, 3.23 ERA in 18 games. In 2009, he finished with a 3–4 record, 2.59 ERA in 14 games. On August 18, 2009, he was released by the Phillies.
New York Mets
On January 13, 2013, Álvarez was signed a minor league contract with the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
organization after spending the 2010 through 2012 seasons out of baseball.
He spent the 2013 season with the Low-A
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, and play at Maimonides Park, just off the Coney Island ...
, recording a 2–4 record and 3.10 ERA in 12 appearances. He split the majority of the 2014 season between the Single-A
Savannah Sand Gnats
The Savannah Sand Gnats were a minor league baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia. They were a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. The Sand Gnats were an affiliate of the New York Mets in their final nine seasons. The team relocated t ...
, the High-A
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and play their home games at Clover Park. The Mets have been members ...
, and the Double-A
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are an American Minor League Baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club. The Rumble Ponies play in Mi ...
, accumulating a 10–1 record and 1.10 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 73.1 innings of work.
Álvarez was selected to the 40-man roster and called up to the majors for the first time on September 1, 2014. He made his major league debut on September 3 against the
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...
. The Mets won the game 4–3, with Alvarez giving up an RBI single to
Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins. Internationally, Yelich represen ...
which the tied the game for the Marlins, charging Álvarez with a blown save. Álvarez finished his rookie season with a 13.50 ERA in 4 games in 1.1 innings pitched while giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, and one home run while only getting one strikeout with a WHIP of 3.000.
Álvarez began the 2015 season with Binghamton, and after being named a mid-season All-Star, he was promoted to the Triple-A
Las Vegas 51s. Álvarez was recalled to the majors on August 22 when first baseman
Lucas Duda
Lucas Christopher Duda (born February 3, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2010 to 2019 for the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Royals. H ...
was placed on the disable list with a back injury. On August 23 he was optioned back to the Triple-A to make room for
David Wright
David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Mets. Chosen by the Mets in the 2001 Major League Baseball dr ...
, who was making his return from spinal stenosis. He did not make a single appearance when he was called up a day earlier.
He was recalled on September 4 to be available to pitch against the Miami Marlins. On September 7, Álvarez earned his first career win against the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
by striking out outfielder
Bryce Harper
Bryce Aron Max Harper (born October 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball first baseman and right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals.
One o ...
in the bottom of the 6th inning.
On September 15, Álvarez strained his groin with one out in the eight inning against the Marlins forcing him to leave in what would be a 3–9 loss for the Mets. He had allowed 3 hits and exited the game after stumbling and failing to deliver a pitch, which resulted in a balk. On September 18 it was revealed that Álvarez was headed to Port St. Lucie to rehab the groin injury he had sustained three days ago and that it was unlikely for him to pitch again in 2015.
Álvarez finished the season with a 1–0 record, 12.27 ERA in 6 games in 3.2 innings pitched while giving up 5 hits, 5 runs, 2 home runs, 1 walk, and 1 balk while getting two strikeouts with a WHIP of 1.636. He was assigned to Las Vegas to begin the 2016 season. On May 23, 2016, he was designated for assignment by the Mets.
Atlanta Braves
On May 25, 2016, Álvarez was claimed off waivers by the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
. He was optioned to the
Triple–A Gwinnett Braves
The Gwinnett Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia (with a Lawrencevi ...
, and logged a 1.13 ERA in 8 appearances for the team. On June 14, Álvarez was promoted to Atlanta. In 16 major league games, he posted a 3–1 record and 3.00 ERA in 16 appearances for the Braves.
Texas Rangers
On July 27, 2016, the Braves traded Álvarez and
Lucas Harrell
Lucas William Bradley Harrell (born June 3, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers, a ...
to the
Texas Rangers in exchange for
Travis Demeritte. After two appearances with the Rangers, he was demoted to the Triple-A
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers. They are located in Round Rock, Texas, and play their home ...
on August 4, 2016. In 10 appearances with the Rangers, Álvarez struggled to a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances. He began the 2017 season with Triple-A Round Rock, and pitched to a 2–0 record and 2.76 ERA in 20 appearances with Texas. On September 1, 2017, Álvarez was designated for assignment by the Rangers. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.
Seattle Mariners
On November 30, 2017, Álvarez signed a one-year contract with the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
.
On March 21, 2018, Álvarez was claimed off waivers by the
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...
. On April 25, Álvarez was outrighted off of the 40-man roster without appearing in a game for Seattle and was assigned to the Triple-A
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They are located in Tacoma, Washington, and play their home games at Cheney Stadium, ...
. In 30 games for Tacoma, the Low-A
Everett AquaSox
The Everett AquaSox are a Minor League Baseball team in Everett, Washington. The team is a member of the Northwest League and is the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The AquaSox play their home games at Funko Field, which has a seatin ...
, and the
AZL Mariners
The Arizona Complex League Mariners are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. The team is com ...
, Álvarez recorded a 3–0 record and 1.78 ERA before being released by the organization on August 3, 2018.
Leones de Yucatán
On January 10, 2019, Alvarez signed a minor league deal with the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
organization. He was released by the organization on March 27, 2019.
On May 17, 2019, Álvarez signed with the
Leones de Yucatán
The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team plays its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in 1957 ...
of the
Mexican League
The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country.
The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...
. After struggling to a 17.18 ERA in 2 appearances with the team, he was released on May 31.
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna
On June 10, 2021, Álvarez signed with the
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna
The Algodoneros de Unión Laguna (English: Laguna Union Cottoneers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League (LMB). Based in Torreón, Coahuila, they play in the North Division of LMB.
History Early years
The team was established ...
of the
Mexican League
The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country.
The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...
. In 17 games for Unión Laguna, he recorded a 5.14 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 2
saves across 21 innings. Álvarez was released by the Algodoneros on January 19, 2022.
Guelph Royals
On February 3, 2022, Álvarez signed with the
Guelph Royals of the
Intercounty Baseball League
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is a Canadian baseball league, comprising teams of college players and others from North America and beyond. The teams are located in Southern Ontario.
The league was formed in 1919 and has enjoyed much succ ...
. However, due to visa issues, he was unable to join the team in 2022. On March 8, 2023, Álvarez re–signed with the Royals. He only appeared in two games for the team in 2023, and was released by Guelph on March 22, 2024.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvarez, Dario
1989 births
Living people
Arizona League Mariners players
Atlanta Braves players
Olympic baseball players for the Dominican Republic
Baseball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Olympic medalists in baseball
Olympic bronze medalists for the Dominican Republic
Binghamton Mets players
Brooklyn Cyclones players
Caribes de Anzoátegui players
Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States
Dominican Summer League Phillies players
Everett AquaSox players
Gwinnett Braves players
Las Vegas 51s players
Leones de Yucatán players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic
21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen
New York Mets players
Baseball players from Santiago de los Caballeros
Sportspeople from Santiago Province (Dominican Republic)
Round Rock Express players
Savannah Sand Gnats players
Scottsdale Scorpions players
St. Lucie Mets players
Tacoma Rainiers players
Texas Rangers players
Toros del Este players
Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Venezuela