The Braves’ bullpen carousel continued Tuesday when left-hander Dario Alvarez had his contract purchased from Triple-A Gwinnett, less than three weeks after being claimed off waivers from the Mets.
Right-hander Ryan Weber was optioned back to Gwinnett, one day after coming up and pitching one inning (three hits, two runs) in Monday’s 9-8 loss to the Reds.
Alvarez, 27, struggled in his first major league call-ups with the Mets the previous two seasons, posting a 12.60 ERA in 10 appearances (four in 2014, six in 2015) and allowing nine hits, seven runs and three homers in five innings.
“I didn’t really expect to be called up so quickly” after being claimed by the Braves, Alvarez said through an interpreter. “My goal was just to do my job and try to do what the organization was asking of me, and just focus on what I could control. I was very excited when they told me, and I was eager to come back and do what I can.”
He was designated for assignment by the Mets last month and produced a 1.12 ERA in eight appearances for the Braves, allowing four hits and one run with four walks and 14 strikeouts in eight innings.
That was a big improvement over his work this season with the Mets’ Triple-A Las Vegas, where he had a 9.98 ERA in 17 appearances and gave up 27 hits, three homers and 10 walks with 27 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.
“I’ve been attacking the zone, making the right pitches in the right counts,” Alvarez said. “And just continuing to be aggressive against hitters, not giving an inch.”
Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said, “The reports have been good, so we’ll see. It’s kind of like I told him and used to tell the guys in Gwinnett — everybody’s in play. We’ll find out if he can come out here and give us some innings. I’ve heard he has a good sinker, and it looks like he’s getting it over (for strikes in Triple-A)…. We’ll have work for him.”
