Alvarado, who's allowed seven runs (six earned) across three appearances since returning from an extended absence due to personal reasons, may be used in lower-leverage situations in the short term, Marc Topkin of the Tamp Bay Times reports. "In all fairness to him, us, probably try to find a softer spot for him,'' manager Kevin Cash said. "Unfortunately we don't have many soft spots, and there's not a soft spot when you face the New York Yankees."

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado was clearly out of his element in the outing where the majority of the aforementioned damage against him was done, a forgettable appearance against the Orioles on Wednesday. The left-hander allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits, a walk and a wild pitch over just two-thirds of an inning versus Baltimore, and the meltdown was apparently enough to warrant a bit of a role shift for the time being. With Diego Castillo (shoulder) on the injured list until after the All-Star break, Emilio Pagan, who boasts a 1.10 ERA and 0.80 WHIP, is presumably the next man up for any save chances during the current four-game series against the Yankees, although Cash added that the Rays "can't run from" Alvarado for too long based on how important he is to the team's success.

Alvarado (0-5) allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out none across 0.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado entered a tied contest in the ninth inning and immediately battled his control, walking the first batter he faced and then advancing him on a wild pitch. His struggles only worsened from there as he allowed an RBI triple and three-run home run prior to getting the hook. The runs were the first that Alvarado has allowed in two innings since returning from the restricted list on June 29. He also recorded his seventh save of the season earlier in the series against Baltimore.

Alvarado gave up one hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to record his seventh save in a 6-3 win over the Orioles on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

After getting two quick outs to start the ninth inning, Alvarado gave up a double to make things interesting, but he struck out Anthony Santander to nail down the save. The left-hander was used in a save situation for the first time since his return from the restricted list June 29. Alvarado has a 3.20 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 28 appearances this season.

Alvarado, who was activated off the restricted list Friday, allowed an earned run on a hit and a wild pitch over an inning in a win over the Rangers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed closer got his first taste of game action since June 1 in the low-leverage scenario, and he showed a bit of rust while putting a pair of men on and throwing 18 pitches overall during his one frame. However, Alvarado ultimately got through the inning by allowing just one run on a Logan Forsythe groundout.

Alvarado (personal) was activated off the restricted list Friday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado has been throwing bullpen sessions over the past couple weeks after he was away from the team in the start of June to tend to a family matter. The 24-year-old has a 3.09 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB over 23.1 innings this season, and he should rejoin the Rays' closing committee.

Alvarado (personal) threw bullpen sessions Monday and Tuesday and could be activated for the Rays' upcoming homestand, which begins Friday and runs until the All-Star break, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado's progression to throwing bullpens on back-to-back days is a significant step towards his return. The 24-year-old seems unlikely to rejoin the team for the start of the homestand this weekend since he has yet to face live hitters, but a return sometime next week certainly appears attainable.

Alvarado (personal) threw a bullpen session Thursday, and the Rays are hopeful he'll need only a few more side sessions and possibly a simulated game before returning to the team, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado is currently on the restricted list after leaving the team to be with family Venezuela at the beginning of June, and he'll have to go through an abbreviated spring training prior to being activated. However, the Rays are optimistic that he'll be able to avoid a minor-league stint, which will likely speed up the process. There's currently no timetable for Alvardo's return.

Manger Kevin Cash said Monday that Alvarado (personal) will need a restart similar to an abbreviated spring training before returning to the 25-man roster, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado returned from Venezuela over this past weekend after dealing with family-related issues, and it was announced Sunday he'd report to High-A Charlotte prior to jumping back into big-league action. Cash's comments Monday imply the left-handed reliever will log multiple minor-league outings in order to get back into a groove after last having pitched June 1. Diego Castillo and Emilio Pagan should continue handling closing duties until Alvarado is activated from the restricted list.

Alvarado (personal) is back in the United States and will report to High-A Charlotte prior to returning from the restricted list, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado has been in his native Venezuela to attend to a personal matter since June 2, so it's no surprise he'll require a bit of a tune-up before returning to the majors. The 24-year-old should rejoin the three-way timeshare at closer with Diego Castillo and Emilio Pagan upon his removal from the restricted list.

Alvarado (personal) remains without a timeline to rejoin the Rays, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash expressed optimism a week ago that Alvarado was days away from reporting back to the Rays, but the hard-throwing lefty apparently required more time to tend to a personal matter in his native Venezuela. With Alvarado's return date still up in the air, fantasy managers in shallower or mid-sized leagues may have a tough time justifying keeping him on their rosters. Even when he had been present with the Rays, Alvarado had been stuck in a frustrating three-way closer timeshare with Diego Castillo and Emilio Pagan, notching only six of the team's 17 saves this season.