Alvarado has pitched himself into the closer mix for the Phillies this spring, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado was understandably cheap for the Phillies to acquire this winter following a pair of seasons in which he struggled to a 5.08 ERA while battling injuries. Conditioning had become a significant problem for the lefty, but he's dropped nearly 50 pounds and now looks as electric as ever. He struck out the side Saturday against the Blue Jays, throwing nine of his 16 pitches 99 mph or faster. He has 15 saves on his resume already and seemingly has a legitimate chance to beat out Hector Neris and Archie Bradley for the role this season, though it's still too early to call him the favorite.

Alvarado has looked good to start camp, retiring all nine batters he's faced thus far while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies acquired Alvarado fairly cheaply from the Rays back in December, as he's posted a 5.08 ERA over the last two seasons while battling injuries. He's been in vintage form so far this spring, however, with his fastball touching triple digits and his conditioning looking much improved. His recent struggles mean he probably begins the year behind Archie Bradley and Hector Neris on the closer depth chart, but he could certainly add to his 15 career saves if he carries his spring success into the regular season. If the Phillies adopt a committee approach at any point this year, he should have a strong chance of picking up saves when opposing lefties are due up in the ninth inning, as both Bradley and Neris throw right-handed.

Alvarado avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies will be hoping Alvarado can plug a hole in their historically leaky bullpen this season. He's been a high-leverage reliever at times in the past, but he's since struggled through a pair of injury-filled campaigns, posting a 5.08 ERA and a 17.3 percent walk rate over that stretch.

Alvarado was traded from the Rays to the Phillies on Tuesday as part of a three-team deal which also includes the Dodgers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old lefty joins a team desperately in need of bullpen help, and the good version of Alvarado can certainly provide that, as his 2.39 ERA back in 2018 suggests. Over the last two injury-filled seasons, however, he's struggled to a 5.08 ERA in just 39 total frames, with a poor 17.3 percent walk rate offsetting a 27.2 percent strikeout rate. A full bounceback could see Alvarado picking up saves at some point for his new team, with only the inconsistent Hector Neris standing as a real obstacle, but there's every chance his injuries and control problems continue, making him at best a low-leverage option.

Alvarado will not be a part of the Rays' World Series roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado returned from a shoulder injury to play a part in the ALCS, striking out four and walking three over 1.2 scoreless innings. Ryan Sherriff will replace him as a left-handed option out of the bullpen.

The Rays activated Alvarado (shoulder) from the 45-day injured list Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay designated Oliver Drake (elbow) for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Alvarado, while outfielder Brett Phillips was optioned to the Rays' taxi squad to clear a spot on the 28-man active roster. Alvarado hasn't appeared in game for the Rays since Aug. 14 due to the shoulder injury, so manager Kevin Cash could prefer to break the 25-year-old in in lower-leverage spots during Tampa Bay's ALCS matchup with the Astros.

Alvarado (shoulder) will not be a part of the Rays' wild-card roster.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado has been out with a shoulder injury since mid-August. He's been trending in the right direction lately, throwing live batting practice multiple times, but he's evidently at least three more days away from being cleared for game action.

Alvarado (shoulder) is scheduled to throw to Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) and Yandy Diaz (hamstring) in a simulated game setting Monday, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander did the same Saturday and reportedly looked very good in terms of velocity, as he continues to ramp up for a possible return early in the postseason. Alvarado's chances of suiting up at some point in the upcoming Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays will likely become clearer after Monday's activity.

Alvarado (shoulder) threw a live batting practice Saturday and remains a candidate to return at some point in the postseason, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander's availability will naturally be heavily dependent on the health of his shoulder, but it will also be contingent on his ability to locate consistently and command the zone. Alvarado hasn't seen game action since Aug. 14, so rust will certainly be a concern if he is eventually activated. "Velo was up right where we like it. I think he was at 96-97 [mph]," manager Kevin Cash said. "Landed a couple of breaking balls. He's another one to make a decision on. Just get his comfort from a health standpoint. He certainly appears like he's healthy."

Alvarado (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado doesn't look like he'll be activated from the 45-day injured list prior to Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Phillies, but he could be a candidate to earn a spot on Tampa Bay's postseason roster. The lefty hasn't pitched for the big club since Aug. 14, but before imploding in that appearance and subsequently landing on the IL with shoulder inflammation, Alvarado posted a 2.16 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and an 11:4 K:BB over 8.1 innings in his first eight appearances of 2020.