José Álvarez

José Ricardo Álvarez (born May 6, 1989) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants.

He was signed as an international free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 2005. In the minor leagues, Álvarez was a New York–Penn League mid-season All Star, and a Florida State League mid-season All Star. In the winter of 2014–15, he was named Venezuelan Professional Baseball League Pitcher of the Year. He made his major league debut in . In he was second in the American League in appearances, with 76.

Career

Álvarez was born in Barcelona, Anzoátegui, Venezuela.

Boston Red Sox (2005–09) He was signed as an international free agent by the Boston Red Sox in July 2005. In 2006 with the DSL Red Sox of the Dominican Summer League, Álvarez was 2–1 with a 1.61 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 61 innings. In 2007 with the GCL Red Sox of the Gulf Coast League he was 4–1 with a 1.84 ERA (third in the league) and 38 strikeouts in 49 innings. In 2008 with the Greenville Drive of the Single–A South Atlantic League he was 8–9 with a 5.70 ERA, and 86 strikeouts in 118 innings.

In 2011, pitching for the Jupiter Hammerheads in the High–A Florida State League, Álvarez was a mid-season All Star, and ended the season 6–5 for the Hammerheads with a 2.96 ERA, with 73 strikeouts in 82 innings.

In 2012 he pitched for the Jacksonville Suns in the Double–A Southern League. Álvarez was league Pitcher of the Week for the week ended June 25, and for the season was 6–9 with a 4.22 ERA, with 3 complete games (tied for the league lead), 1.66 walks per nine innings (tops among league starters), and 70 strikeouts in 136 innings. He played for the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens, where by June 2013 he was leading the International League in strikeouts, Walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP), and baserunners per nine innings. He recorded a win and a quality start, pitching six innings while striking out seven against the Cleveland Indians. He was sent back to the Toledo Mud Hens that same day and was recalled June 20 to start again in place of Sánchez. On August 28, Alvarez was sent back to Toledo. In 2013 with the Tigers he was 1–5 with one save and a 5.82 ERA, with 31 strikeouts in 38 innings. With Toledo, he was 8–6 with a 2.80 ERA (4th in the league), 5th in the league with a .235 batting average against and 1.79 walks per nine innings, and 115 strikeouts (10th) in 128 innings. He made two scoreless appearances for the Angels in 2014.

Álvarez was called upon by the Angels 64 times in the 2015 season, posting a 4–3 record with a 3.49 ERA, and 59 strikeouts in 67 IP.

In 2018, Álvarez was 6–4 with one save and posted career bests in games (76; 2nd-most in the American League), wins (6), and ERA (2.71; 4th among left-handed AL relievers), and tied his career high with 59 strikeouts. He allowed three home runs over 63 innings, and limited left-handed batters to batting .206/.265/.338 against him with nine walks and 34 strikeouts. He was 5th among all MLB relievers, stranding 86.0% of inherited runners.

In 2020, during an August 20 game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Alvarez was struck in the groin by a line drive hit, leading to an injury that caused him to be inactive for the remainder of the season. In 2020 he was 0–0 with a 1.42 ERA in 6 innings in which he struck out 6 batters over eight games.

In the 2021 regular season, Álvarez was 5–2 with a career-best 2.37 ERA in 67 games (1 start), in which he pitched 64 innings and allowed 7.4 hits per 9 innings pitched.

Detroit Tigers (second stint) (2023) On March 22, 2023, Álvarez signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization. He was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the year, but spent the entire season on the injured list as he recovered from surgery. Álvarez was released by the Tigers organization on January 31, 2024.

Toros de Tijuana (2024–2025) On June 9, 2024, Álvarez signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 18 games for Tijuana, he posted an 0–1 record and 1.17 ERA with 12 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Álvarez made 53 appearances for Tijuana in 2025, compiling a 2-1 record and 1.88 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 43 innings of relief. He became a free agent following the season.

Leones de Yucatán On April 25, 2026, Álvarez signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. In 30 relief appearances for the Leones, he posted a 1–2 record with a 3.38 ERA, 12 strikeouts, and three walks across innings pitched. On June 26, Álvarez was released by Yucatán.