Alvarez has been called up to the major leagues, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports Monday.

EDGE Analysis

With both JC Ramirez (forearm) and Andrew Bailey (shoulder) headed to the disabled list, the Angels needed a fresh arm. The Angels are light on lefties, so despite his 4.50 ERA in 36 innings for the big club thus far in 2017, Alvarez will get another shot at the show.

Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez's demotion will leave the Angels without a left-handed arm in their bullpen, but adding outfield depth was apparently a greater priority, as Cesar Puello was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move to give the big club five outfielders. Though Alvarez has tossed eight scoreless innings spanning his last six appearances with the big club, he's still carrying a middling 4.50 ERA and 1.25 WHIP on the season, which had kept him out of the conversation for setup duties.

Alvarez was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez is back with the big club after notching three scoreless appearances for the Bees, taking the place of Eduardo Paredes in the Angels' bullpen. The 28-year-old has compiled a 4.76 ERA and 32:10 K:BB through 34 major-league innings this season, and he figures to serve in a middle relief role with Bud Norris, Blake Parker and Cam Bedrosian holding down the back end.

Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Angels were in need of some fresh arm out of the bullpen after six different relievers were needed to cover 7.2 innings in Tuesday's series opener with the Indians, so Alvarez will be shipped back to Triple-A while Brooks Pounders moves up to the big leagues. Alvarez made four appearances during his latest stint with the Angels, tossing four scoreless innings and striking out five batters.

Alvarez was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez has pitched reasonably well in 40 appearances with the big club this year, with his 27:6 K:BB over 30 innings suggesting he deserves better than a 5.40 ERA. That said, he will likely be confined mostly to the middle innings with the likes of Bud Norris, Blake Parker and Cam Bedrosian at the back end.

Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez pitched two scoreless innings in Friday's loss to the Dodgers, so the Angels decided to swap him out for the fresh arm of Brooks Pounders. The 28-year-old should find himself back up with the big club when another reliever is needed.

Alvarez retired two of the three batters he faced Sunday, picking up his 11th hold in a 12-6 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old leads the Angels in holds and has already tied last year's mark of 11 in 31 less games. While the abundance of holds give Alvarez fantasy value in leagues that count them, he remains a risky option due to the bad habit he picked up this season of giving up home runs (2.0 HR/9), which has led to an ERA (4.30) nearly a whole run higher than his marks in 2015 and 2016.

Alvarez worked an inning of relief Friday, but he surrendered his fourth home run of the season in a loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The four homers allowed already match Alvarez's mark last year despite throwing 42 less innings in 2017. The 28-year-old has been otherwise effective, limiting baserunners (0.98 WHIP) while collecting seven holds. Alvarez is the only left-handed option out of the Angels' bullpen, so he should continue to see hold opportunities late in games, but he will have to improve on his 4.11 ERA and 2.3 HR/9 in order to gain the trust of owners in holds leagues.

Alvarez pitched a one-two-three inning to earn his first career save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

With Bud Norris notching saves in each of the last two days, it was Alvarez who got the call with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. He made quick work of the home team, inducing a pair of goundouts and a flyout while needing just nine pitches to get the job done. Alvarez has pitched extremely well this season after earning a roster spot during the spring, and although Norris still figures to see most of the save opportunities in the absence of Cam Bedrosian (groin) and Andrew Bailey (shoulder), he could provide an alternative solution if the opportunity arises again in the meantime.

Alvarez fired a scoreless inning on his way to his third hold of the season against the Athletics on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez earned a spot on the 25-man roster this spring, and he has impressed early on, posting a 2.35 ERA with eight strikeouts over 7.2 innings. The 27-year-old should see a handful of hold opportunities while serving as the Angels' top left-handed option out of the pen. That said, the southpaw hadn't posted an ERA below 3.45 in 174.1 innings with the Angels over the last two seasons, so he may be pitching a little bit over his head right now.