Alvarado is unlikely to be used as a traditional closer by the Rays in 2019, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash doesn't plan to officially name a closer this season, but Alvarado is a likely candidate to see ninth inning opportunities depending on game flow and the matchup. Given the Rays utilization of the opener strategy, it comes as little surprise they plan to eschew traditional late-inning roles. Alvarado is expected to see minimal work this spring after a career-high 64 innings during 2018. Regardless of his official title, the 23-year-old lefty's 2.39 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 last season should still provide plenty of fantasy value as Tampa Bay's likeliest option for high-leverage work.

Manager Kevin Cash would not name Alvarado as the team's closer heading into spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cash said that he felt "no urgency" to name a closer, suggesting that he'll have multiple players share the role based on scenarios. Alvarado is the most likely candidate to grab hold of the ninth inning, as he converted eight saves while posting a 2.39 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 across 64.0 innings in 2018, though he remains valuable even on a committee thanks to his impressive ratios.

Alvarado secured his eighth save of the season Wednesday against the Indians, striking out two across a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado needed just 11 pitches -- eight of which were strikes -- to retire the Indians to secure the win. He's converted both of his save chances in September, racking up six strikeouts across 2.2 scoreless innings over that stretch. Sergio Romo picked up a save in between Alvarado's two conversions as the two continue to share the ninth inning.

Alvarado allowed a hit but struck out two batters, earning his seventh save in 0.2 innings of work during Sunday's 6-4 win over Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Since the start of July, Alvarado has allowed just four runs (three earned) in 22 innings, dropping his ERA from 2.88 to 2.20 in the process. He's also 7-for-10 in save opportunities this season.

Alvarado earned his sixth save in a win over the Braves on Wednesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw needed just 14 pitches to record his four outs, the latest installment in what has been an extended stretch of impressive efforts. Alvarado owns a 1.46 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across the 12.1 innings encompassing his 13 August appearances, and he's hasn't allowed a hit in his last seven outings overall.

Alvarado worked around a walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning of work to earn his fifth save of the season Monday against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado was summoned to protect a one-run lead, and although he walked the tying run aboard with one out, he was able to preserve the victory. He needed 20 pitches to retire the side, throwing 12 for strikes while striking out a pair. Alvarado blew his last save opportunity, but he's still in the mix when the matchup calls for his skill set.

Alvarado was activated from the family medical emergency list Wednesday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado will be back in the Rays bullpen for this weekend's intrastate series against Miami after being placed on the emergency list last Wednesday. Across 41 appearances with Tampa Bay this year, Alvarado has logged a 2.58 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Alvarado was placed on the family medical emergency list Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Per Topkin, Alvarado won't rejoin the Rays until after the All-Star break.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays recalled Andrew Kittredge from Triple-A Durham to fortify the bullpen while Alvarado is away from the team for the next five games. The temporary departure of Alvarado, who picked up the win while working two scoreless innings Tuesday against the Tigers, should clear the way for Sergio Romo to pick up any save chances that may be available through the weekend.

Alvarado allowed one walk and retired the final two batters of the game to earn his third save of the season Tuesday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado came on with two men on and one out, allowing a run to score on a fielder's choice for the first out. He then walked pitcher Dan Straily before getting a groundball out to end the game. The Rays used eight total pitchers in the 16-inning affair, including current closer Sergio Romo, so Alvarado's second save in three outings appears to be more situational than anything.

Alvarado (0-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over one inning in a loss to the Mariners on Sunday. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Asked to protect a 1-0 lead entering the bottom of the eighth, Alvarado dug an immediate hole by issuing a leadoff walk to Ryon Healy. A Brad Miller error then allowed Guillermo Heredia to reach and simultaneously sent pinch-runner Andrew Romine to third. A pair of RBI singles by Denard Span and Dee Gordon sandwiched around a Mike Zunino strikeout subsequently gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead they wouldn't relinquish, although the 23-year-old southpaw kept the deficit manageable by impressively retiring Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger on punchouts to close out the frame. The stumble resulted in Alvarado being charged with both his second loss and blown save of the season, and it extended the uncertainty surrounding the status of the Rays' closer role following the trade of Alex Colome to the Mariners late last month.