Alvarado earned a save against Atlanta on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado entered in the eighth inning with two outs and the tying run on first base. He retired Matt Olson to end the frame, then stayed in for the ninth despite the fact that No. 1 closer David Robertson was warming in the bullpen. Alvarado took advantage of the opportunity by working around a two-out single to notch his second save of the campaign. Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez have struggled in September, so it's possible that Alvarado could get some more save chances moving forward.

Alvarado (3-2) took the loss in Saturday's game against the Cubs, allowing five runs (three earned) on two hits while striking out one and walking none over one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado was called in to pitch in the 10th inning of a tied game, and he took the loss after allowing four runs to cross the plate on a fielder's choice, a single and a fielding error. His ERA ballooned from 4.39 to 5.33 in the contest, though he has a 3.86 ERA in July.

Alvarado recorded two outs, including one strikeout, and earned a save against Miami on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado entered the game with two on and one out in the ninth inning and needed just eight pitches to extinguish the threat from the Marlins. It was his first save opportunity since blowing a chance against the Nationals on June 17. The 27-year-old is now sporting a 41:18 K:BB with a 4.39 ERA through 26.2 frames.

Alvarado (1-1) blew the save but got the win in the second half of Friday's doubleheader against the Nationals, allowing an unearned run in 1.1 innings of work while striking out one and giving up two walks and a hit.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies used both Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand in Game 1 of the doubleheader, so they were down to the less preferred members of their new closer committee in Game 2. After Andrew Bellatti retired two of the first three batters in the ninth inning, Alvarado was tasked with retiring Juan Soto to finish the game. He wound up walking him, as he's done against 17.1 percent of the batters he's faced this season, but he appeared to have gotten the job done by getting Nelson Cruz to ground out before Didi Gregorius threw the ball away. Alvarado got out of the inning without further damage and allowed only the ghost runner to score in the bottom of the 10th, which was good enough for a win after the Phillies had scored twice in the top of the frame.

Alvarado was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado was demoted in late May after posting a 7.62 ERA and 15.4 percent walk rate to start the season, but four scoreless minor-league appearances in which he walked just a single batter was apparently all the Phillies needed to see to bring him back. Cristopher Sanchez was optioned in a corresponding move.

Alvarado was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado's control issues finally reached a tipping point for the Phillies, so he'll exit the active roster to clear space for Friday's starter Bailey Falter. Alvarado's 15.4 percent walk rate is actually a notable improvement on his 18.7 percent mark from last year, but it's still nowhere near good enough and contributed heavily to his 7.62 ERA. His stuff is good enough that he could add to his 20 career saves at some point down the line if he could just figure out his command, but it doesn't look like such an improvement is coming any time soon.

Alvarado (neck) will be on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado has been limited to a single Grapefruit League appearance due to a neck issue. Previous reports indicated the left was likely to open the season on the injured list, but he's evidently convinced the Phillies that he's ready to go. The team will use a 10-man bullpen to start the year, so they can avoid using him in the first few games if he still needs time to finish building up.

Alvarado (neck) is scheduled to make a relief appearance in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Alvarado has been cleared for game action and likely won't require much buildup time as a reliever who typically doesn't work more than one inning, he's not a lock to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster since the neck issue has kept him out for the majority of the spring. As Gelb notes, the Phillies' plans for Alvarado will likely become apparent based on where his next outing comes Tuesday or Wednesday. If Alvarado pitches in one of the team's final two exhibition games, it would likely signal that he's on track for the Opening Day roster, whereas a simulated game Tuesday or Wednesday would hint that the Phillies are planning to stash him on the injured list to begin the season.

Alvarado (neck) has been playing catch, but the Phillies are skeptical that he'll be able to avoid the injured list to start the season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado's neck issue may not be a long-term problem, but the fact that he's still merely playing catch with Opening Day just 10 days away suggests a trip to the injured list is likely. Once healthy, he'll compete with Brad Hand to be the top lefty in the Philadelphia bullpen, a role that could come with at least the occasional save.

Alvarado has not made an appearance this spring due to "a little neck issue", manager Joe Girardi revealed on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarado was shut down from throwing for three days beginning on Thursday as he looks to recover from the issue. The reliever hopes to be ready for the start of the season, but may be delayed if the issue lingers.