:Henderson Álvarez

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Henderson Álvarez III

|image = Henderson Alvarez on August 31, 2011.jpg

|width = 250

|caption = Álvarez with the Toronto Blue Jays

|team = Free agent

|number =

|position = Starting pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|4|18}}

|birth_place = Valencia, Carabobo,Venezuela

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 10

|debutyear = 2011

|debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2017 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 27–35

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.82

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 302

|stat4label = WHIP

|stat4value = 1.30

|teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2017}})

|awards =

All-Star (2014)
Pitched a no-hitter on September 29, 2013

}}

Henderson Javier Álvarez (born April 18, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2011 through 2012, the Miami Marlins from 2013 through 2015, and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017.

Álvarez debuted in MLB with the Blue Jays in 2011, and was traded to the Marlins after the 2012 season. He threw a no-hitter for the Marlins on the last day of the 2013 season, and was named an MLB All-Star during the 2014 season. He did not pitch in MLB during the 2016 season due to a shoulder injury.

Early life

Henderson Javier Álvarez was born on April 18, 1990, in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela.

Professional career

=Minor leagues=

Álvarez signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent, and made his professional baseball debut in 2007 with the Dominican Summer Blue Jays of the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, pitching to a 1–2 win–loss record with a 5.61 earned run average (ERA).{{cite web |url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=506693 |title=MILB Stats |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=April 18, 1990 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114060425/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=506693 |url-status=dead }}

Álvarez subsequently moved to the United States, where he pitched for the Gulf Coast Blue Jays of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, going 1–4 with a 5.63 ERA and a strikeout to walk ratio of 5.67. He was promoted to the Lansing Lugnuts of the Single–A Midwest League for the 2009 season, where he was an All-Star with a 9–6 win–loss record and a 3.47 ERA. He played 2010 with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the High–A Florida State League. He was named an All-Star and was selected to appear in the All-Star Futures Game,{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-11861122|title=Alvarez participates in MLB Futures Game – Dunedin Blue Jays News|work=Dunedin Blue Jays|access-date=April 25, 2015}} finishing the season with an 8–7 record with a 4.33 ERA. He started the 2011 season with Dunedin, but was promoted after two starts to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double–A Eastern League. He was again named an All-Star and made his second appearance in the Futures Game, finishing the year with an 8–4 record and a 2.86 ERA.

=Toronto Blue Jays (2011–2012)=

On August 9, 2011, the Blue Jays promoted Álvarez to the major leagues. He took the rotation spot of Carlos Villanueva, and made his major league debut on August 10 against the Oakland Athletics{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/mlb/bluejays/article/1037019--jays-call-up-pitching-prospect-henderson-alvarez?bn=1|title=Jays call up prized pitching prospect Henderson Álvarez|author=Toronto Star staff|date=August 9, 2011|work=Toronto Star|access-date=August 9, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110809&content_id=22968558&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor |title=Alvarez to make debut for Blue Jays on Wednesday vs. the Athletics | bluejays.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=September 29, 2013}} pitching 5{{frac|2|3}} innings and giving up 3 earned runs on 8 hits, with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=373598 |title=Canadian Lawrie hits grand slam to lead Blue Jays past A's |publisher=Tsn.ca |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=September 29, 2013}}

On August 31, Álvarez recorded his first major league win in a 13–0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched eight full innings, giving up three hits, no walks and recording five strikeouts. At 21 years and 135 days, Álvarez becomes the youngest Blue Jays' pitcher to record a win since Kelvim Escobar in 1997, and the youngest starting pitcher to record the win for the Jays since Phil Huffman in 1979.{{cite web|author=David Ginsburg |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=310831101 |title=Álvarez shines as Blue Jays beat Orioles 13–0 |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=August 31, 2011 |access-date=September 29, 2013}} He made 10 starts for the Blue Jays, going 1–3 in {{frac|63|2|3}} innings. He issued eight walks while striking out 40.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

On May 4, 2012, Álvarez threw his first career complete game and shutout, defeating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4–0. With teammate Brandon Morrow throwing a shutout the previous night, they became the first Blue Jays to throw back-to-back shutouts since Jack Morris and Al Leiter on June 16 and 17, 1993.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_05_04_tormlb_anamlb_1 |title=Alvarez deals Toronto's second straight shutout |website=Toronto Blue Jays|publisher=MLB |access-date=September 29, 2013}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Álvarez finished the 2012 season with a 9–14 record and a 4.85 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out 79 batters in {{frac|187|1|3}} innings pitched, which resulted in the lowest strikeout rates in the Majors (3.80 K/9) in 2012.

=Miami Marlins (2013–2015)=

On November 19, 2012, the Blue Jays traded Álvarez to the Miami Marlins along with Adeiny Hechavarria, Jeff Mathis, Yunel Escobar, Jake Marisnick, Anthony DeSclafani, and Justin Nicolino in exchange for Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, José Reyes, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=409853|title=MLB approves mega-deal between Blue Jays and Marlins|work=TSN.ca|date=November 19, 2012|access-date=November 19, 2012}} Alvarez spent most of the first half of the 2013 regular season on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. He was activated from the 60-day disabled list on July 4, and made his first start as a Marlin that night against the Atlanta Braves.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/marlins-option-tom-koehler-bring-rhp-henderson-alvarez-off-60-day-dl-for-start-against-braves/2013/07/04/715f0fd2-e4f2-11e2-bffd-37a36ddab820_story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705033926/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/marlins-option-tom-koehler-bring-rhp-henderson-alvarez-off-60-day-dl-for-start-against-braves/2013/07/04/715f0fd2-e4f2-11e2-bffd-37a36ddab820_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2013|title=Marlins option Tom Koehler, bring RHP Henderson Alvarez off 60-day DL for start against Braves|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 4, 2013|access-date=July 4, 2013}} Álvarez received a no-decision in his Marlins debut, pitching five innings and giving up three earned runs in a 4–3 win. Álvarez earned his first win as a Marlin on July 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

On September 29, 2013, the final game of the Marlins 2013 season, Álvarez threw the 282nd no-hitter in MLB history, in a game against the Detroit Tigers. He allowed three base runners on an error, a walk, and a hit batter as the Marlins walked off in the bottom of the ninth inning on a wild pitch, 1–0. He became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the final game of the regular season since Mike Witt in 1984, when he did so for the California Angels.{{cite web|title=Henderson Alvarez of Miami Marlins throws no-hitter|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/sports&id=9266825&rss=rss-wabc-article-9266825|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=September 29, 2013}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Álvarez finished the 2013 season with a 5–6 record in 17 starts. Through 17 starts, Álvarez pitched 102{{frac|2|3}} innings while allowing just two home runs. The previous season he had allowed 29 home runs.

Álvarez opened the 2014 season with two complete game shutouts in his first seven starts.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/07/4102303/marlins-cruise-to-16th-victory.html|title=Henderson Alvarez throws complete-game shutout of New York Mets as Miami Marlins cruise to 16th home victory|last=Navarro|first=Manny|work=miamiherald.com|date=May 7, 2014|access-date=May 7, 2014}} He was named an All-Star.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/henderson-alvarez-named-to-national-league-all-star-team/c-84362398|title=Henderson Alvarez Named to National League All-Star Team|work=Major League Baseball|access-date=April 25, 2015}} After earning an 8–5 record with a 2.48 ERA and a league-leading three shutouts, Álvarez went on the disabled list on August 1 with shoulder inflammation.{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-08-01/sports/fl-marlins-notes-0802-20140801_1_henderson-alvarez-colin-moran-jake-marisnick|title=Miami Marlins placed Henderson Alvarez on 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation|work=tribunedigital-sunsentinel|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-date=September 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930184053/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-08-01/sports/fl-marlins-notes-0802-20140801_1_henderson-alvarez-colin-moran-jake-marisnick|url-status=dead}} before being activated on August 16.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Marlins/status/500469196007157761|title=Miami Marlins on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=April 25, 2015}} He finished the 2014 season with a 12–7 record, the most wins for a Marlins pitcher, and a 2.65 ERA with 111 strikeouts.

The Marlins named Álvarez their Opening Day starting pitcher in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article16857254.html|title=Henderson Alvarez named Marlins' Opening Day starter|work=miamiherald|access-date=April 25, 2015}} In April 2015, Álvarez went on the disabled list when an MRI revealed inflammation in his shoulder and elbow.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/04/12/henderson-alvarez-injury-miami-marlins-elbow-mri|title=Henderson Alvarez injury: Miami Marlins pitcher to 15-day DL - MLB - SI.com|author=Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images|work=SI.com|date=April 12, 2015 |access-date=April 25, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article18418721.html|title=Miami Marlins|work=miamiherald|access-date=April 25, 2015}} After going 0–4 with an ERA over 6.00, he was declared out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery on July 28.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/07/28/henderson-alvarez-undergoes-shoulder-surgery/|title=Henderson Alvarez undergoes shoulder surgery|last=Silva|first=Drew|work=mlb.nbcsports.com|date=July 28, 2015|access-date=December 3, 2015}} On December 2, the Marlins opted not to tender Álvarez a contract, making him a free agent.{{cite web|url=http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/158706066/miami-marlins-do-not-tender-henderson-alvarez|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206032545/http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/158706066/miami-marlins-do-not-tender-henderson-alvarez|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2015|title=Alvarez non-tendered by Marlins, becomes free agent|last=Frisaro|first=Joe|work=MLB.com|date=December 3, 2015|access-date=December 3, 2015}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On December 28, 2015, Álvarez signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Oakland Athletics, with an additional $1.6 million available in incentives.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/28/10624774/oakland-as-announce-henderson-alvarez-signing-designate-for-assignment|title=A's sign Henderson Álvarez|date=December 28, 2015|publisher=AthleticsNation.com|access-date=December 28, 2015}} While rehabilitating in the minor leagues, he left a game in July due to shoulder discomfort.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/16340382/henderson-alvarez-shut-oakland-athletics-due-shoulder-discomfort |title=Henderson Alvarez shut down by Oakland Athletics due to shoulder discomfort |work=Espn.com |date=2016-06-19 |access-date=2017-09-14}} After only pitching in 33 innings in the minors, Álvarez underwent shoulder surgery in September.{{cite web|author=Jeff Todd |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/09/henderson-alvarez-set-for-shoulder-surgery.html |title=Henderson Alvarez Undergoes Shoulder Surgery |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=2016-09-20 |access-date=2017-09-14}}

The Athletics outrighted Álvarez to the Nashville Sounds of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League on October 7, 2016,{{cite web|url=http://www.scout.com/mlb/athletics/story/1714883-a-s-outright-three-more-to-triple-a |title=Oakland A's outright three more to Triple-A |first=Melissa |last=Lockard |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2016}} and he then elected for free agency.{{cite web|url=http://www.athleticsnation.com/2016/10/7/13207854/oakland-as-roster-moves-eric-sogard-jarrod-parker-free-agency |title=Oakland A's roster moves: Eric Sogard, Jarrod Parker, 4 others head to free agency |first=Alex |last=Hall |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2016}}

=Long Island Ducks=

On July 14, 2017, Álvarez signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league.{{cite web|url=http://www.liducks.com/news/current/?article_id=1517|title=Pair of Major League hurlers join Flock|work=liducks.com|date=July 14, 2017|access-date=July 14, 2017}} In 7 starts for the Ducks, he posted a 2-1 record and 3.09 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 32 innings of work.

=Philadelphia Phillies (2017)=

On August 22, 2017, Álvarez signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/phillies-henderson-alvarez-joins-philadelphia-on-minors-deal/|title=Phillies' Henderson Alvarez: Joins Philadelphia on minors deal|work=cbssports.com|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=August 23, 2017}} He made three starts for Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple–A International League, and the Phillies promoted him to the major leagues on September 11.{{cite web|last=Calcaterra |first=Craig |url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/09/11/henderson-alvarez-is-back-in-the-majors/ |title=Henderson Alvarez is back in the majors – HardballTalk |date=September 11, 2017 |publisher=Mlb.nbcsports.com |access-date=2017-09-14}} In 3 starts for the Phillies, he posted a 4.30 ERA with 6 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings of work. On October 4, Álvarez was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Lehigh, but he rejected the assignment and elected free agency.{{Cite web|title=Henderson Alvarez, Kevin Siegrist To Elect Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/10/henderson-alvarez-kevin-siegrist-to-elect-free-agency.html|access-date=November 29, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Tigres de Quintana Roo=

On March 14, 2018, Álvarez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League.https://m.facebook.com/notes/tigres-de-quintana-roo/henderson-%C3%A1lvarez-engalanar%C3%A1-pitcheo-bengal%C3%AD/1652543618117227/ {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}} In 9 starts for the Tigres, he posted a 3–4 record and 4.60 ERA with 31 strikeouts across {{fraction|58|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Washington Nationals=

On November 16, 2018, Álvarez signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.{{Cite web|title=Nationals To Sign Henderson Alvarez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/nationals-to-sign-henderson-alvarez.html|access-date=December 28, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 26, 2018 |language=en}} In 24 games (4 starts) for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, he compiled a 1–4 record and 5.94 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 53 innings of work. Álvarez was released by the Nationals organization on July 1, 2019.

=Tigres de Quintana Roo (second stint)=

On July 20, 2019, Álvarez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. In 6 starts for Quintana Roo, he compiled a 4–2 record and 3.12 ERA with 23 strikeouts over {{fraction|34|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Milwaukee Milkmen=

On August 5, 2020, Álvarez signed with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association. On August 9, Álvarez signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. However, the deal fell apart on August 16. He made 5 starts for the team, recording a 2.90 ERA and 2–1 record with 22 strikeouts in 31.0 innings pitched. Álvarez won the American Association championship with the Milkmen in 2020.{{Cite web|title=Milkmen Bring Home the Championship For Milwaukee|url=https://www.milwaukeemag.com/milkmen-bring-home-the-championship-for-milwaukee/|access-date=2023-04-08|website=milwaukeemag.com|date=September 18, 2020 |language=en}}

=Tigres de Quintana Roo (third stint)=

On September 18, 2020, after the American Association season, Álvarez was returned to the Tigres de Quintana Roo. On May 3, 2021, Álvarez was released by the Tigres.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150905082652/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=125 milb.com Stats]

=Leones de Yucatán=

On December 28, 2021, Álvarez signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League for the 2022 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.leones.mx/abridor-venezolano-llega-a-leones/|title=ABRIDOR VENEZOLANO LLEGA A LEONES|work=leones.mx|date=December 28, 2021 |language=Spanish|access-date=December 29, 2021}} In 2022, he made 17 starts, registering a 7–4 record and 4.43 ERA with 43 strikeouts in {{fraction|91|1|3}} innings pitched. Álvarez won the Mexican League Championship with the Leones in 2022.{{Cite web|title=LMB King's Series — Championship Series 2022 — Round-up|url=https://gambyl.com/en/baseball/lmb/lmb-kings-series-championship-series-2022-round-up/|access-date=2023-05-10|website=gambyl.com|date=September 20, 2022 |language=en}}

In 2023, Álvarez made 15 starts for Quintana Roo and went 6–4 with a 3.68 ERA and 38 strikeouts in {{fraction|78|1|3}} innings.

=Saraperos de Saltillo=

On November 28, 2023, Álvarez was traded to the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reservas - 28 de noviembre de 2023|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-28-de-noviembre-de-2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} In 4 starts for Saltillo in 2024, Álvarez struggled to a 7.90 ERA with 5 strikeouts across {{fraction|13|2|3}} innings. He was released by the Saraperos on May 27.

=Guerreros de Oaxaca=

On July 22, 2024, Álvarez signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 22 de julio de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-22-de-julio-de-2024|access-date=July 24, 2024|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} In 2 starts for the team, he posted a 1–0 record and 1.13 ERA with 1 strikeouts across 8 innings pitched. Álvarez was released by Oaxaca on November 19.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 19 de noviembre de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-19-de-noviembre-de-2024|access-date=November 20, 2024|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}}

Pitching style

Álvarez is a sinkerballer with a 92–95 mph sinker, a 93–96 mph four-seam fastball, an 84–87 mph slider, and an 85–89 mph changeup. He also throws an occasional cutter (87–90). The slider is mostly to right-handed hitters and the changeup mostly against lefties. His pitches all have below-average whiff rates, and his strikeouts per 9 innings rate is only 4.1 {{as of|2012|8|27|lc=yes}}. However, his sinker has a ground ball/fly ball ratio of about 4:1.{{cite web|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=506693|title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Henderson Alvarez|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=August 27, 2012}}

References

External links

{{Baseballstats |mlb=506693 |espn=31047 |br=a/alvarhe01 |fangraphs=sa455760 |brm=alvare002hen |retro=A/Palvah001 }}
{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|16337247}}

{{Succession box | title = No-hitter pitcher | years = September 29, 2013 | before = Tim Lincecum | after = Josh Beckett }}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:Arizona League Athletics players

Category:Baseball players from Valencia, Venezuela

Category:Dominican Summer League Blue Jays players

Category:Dunedin Blue Jays players

Category:Fresno Grizzlies players

Category:Guerreros de Oaxaca players

Category:Gulf Coast Blue Jays players

Category:Jacksonville Suns players

Category:Jupiter Hammerheads players