Nacho Alvarez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Shakes off illness Alvarez (illness) has appeared in Triple-A Gwinnett's last four games, going 8-for-17 with two home runs, two walks, two stolen bases, six RBI and six runs.

Impact Alvarez missed five days' worth of action while recovering from a bout with pneumonia, but he's shown no signs of being slowed down by the illness since rejoining the Gwinnett lineup. Though Alvarez struggled mightily in his first exposure to the majors back in July, he's continued to wield a hot bat at Gwinnett since making the jump to the International League in June. Over 199 plate appearances at Triple-A, Alvarez is slashing .311/.422/.521 with nine home runs and eight stolen bases.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Out at Triple-A with pneumonia Alvarez has not played for Triple-A Gwinnett since Aug. 14 while battling pneumonia, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact If healthy, Alvarez would be a candidate to see time at third base for Atlanta while Austin Riley (hand) is sidelined. However, he's currently unavailable and it's not clear when he'll be ready to play again. Alvarez went just 3-for-30 with a 10:0 K:BB over eight games in an earlier stint with the big club.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down after rough start Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Impact Alvarez got regular run at second base after Ozzie Albies (wrist) landed on the injured list, but he went just 3-for-30 with a 10:0 K:BB over eight games. Atlanta now appears prepared to go with Whit Merrifield (finger) as its regular at the keystone while Albies is shelved.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down after rough start Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Impact Alvarez got regular run at second base after Ozzie Albies (wrist) went down but went just 3-for-30 with a 10:0 K:BB. Atlanta now appears prepared to go with Whit Merrifield (finger) as its regular at the keystone while Albies is shelved.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Batting second in MLB debut Alvarez will start at second base and bat second Monday versus the Reds in his major-league debut.

Impact Alvarez is not only filling in for Ozzie Albies (wrist) at second base, he's also assuming Albies' spot in Atlanta's batting order. The 21-year-old infielder earned a call-up after slashing .293/.401/.417 with seven home runs and 21 stolen bases across 334 plate appearances between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. Alvarez will need to hold off Whit Merrifield for reps at second base, but he'll get the first crack at the keystone in Albies' absence.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Batting second in MLB debut Alvarez will start at second base and bat second Monday versus the Reds in his major-league debut.

Impact Alvarez is not only taking Ozzie Albies' (wrist) spot at second base following his first major-league promotion, he's also assuming Albies' spot in Atlanta's batting order. The 21-year-old infielder earned a call-up after slashing .293/.401/.417 with seven home runs and 21 stolen bases across 334 plate appearances between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. Alvarez will need to hold off Whit Merrifield for reps at second base, but he'll get the first crack at the keystone in Albies' absence.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Call-up official Atlanta selected Alvarez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Impact The 21-year-old will reach the big leagues for the first time after he slashed .293/.401/.417 with seven home runs and 21 stolen bases across 334 plate appearances on the season between Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi. Alvarez has played exclusively at shortstop and third base during his minor-league career, but his athleticism and defensive instincts should allow him to emerge as an option at second base while Ozzie Albies (wrist) is likely to be sidelined until the second half of September. At least initially, Alvarez could be limited to a utility role in the infield, as Atlanta signed veteran infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield to a one-year deal Monday and may give him the first opportunity to replace Albies as the club's everyday second baseman.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Promotion coming Monday Alvarez is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Though Alvarez is being brought up from the minors to help replace the injured Ozzie Albies (wrist) -- who is expected to miss approximately eight weeks -- he'll face competition for reps at the keystone from Zack Short and Whit Merrifield, the latter of whom agreed to a one-year, major-league deal with Atlanta on Monday. Merrifield's longer track record of success in the big leagues might afford him the first chance to serve as Albies' primary replacement, but Merrifield struggled to a .572 OPS in 174 plate appearances with the Phillies this season before being released and will presumably have a short leash. Alvarez, meanwhile, lacks prior MLB experience but has impressed between stops at Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi this season, slashing .293/.401/.417 with seven home runs and 21 stolen bases over 334 plate appearances. The 21-year-old has played only shortstop and third base during his minor-league career, but Bowman suggests that Alvarez's athleticism and instincts should allow him to make a quick transition to second base.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to be called up Monday Atlanta is expected to call up Alvarez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Alvarez will join Atlanta ahead of its three-game home series with the Reds on Monday, with Ozzie Albies (wrist) set to go on the injured list in a corresponding move. The 21-year-old has produced an impressive .342/.425/.586 slash line with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 19 runs scored and five stolen bases over 27 games with Gwinnett after getting a promotion from Double-A Mississippi on June 12. Alvarez will likely get the first opportunity to serve as Atlanta's everyday second baseman while Albies is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Leading Sally League in OBP Alvarez has a .317 average and .496 OBP with zero home runs and seven steals through 25 games for High-A Rome.

Impact Alvarez's 154 wRC+ ranks 12th in the South Atlantic League, but it's worth noting that the majority of that production is tied to his league-leading .496 OBP, while his .378 slugging percentage ranks in the bottom half of the league. He has continued his trend from last season, where his walk rate (24.8 percent) is more than double his strikeout rate (10.6 percent), and when he does connect, he's usually hitting singles to the opposite field. Alvarez has played almost exclusively at shortstop and has a .979 fielding percentage. If he can stick at the six, it's possible his high-OBP, low-impact offensive profile could be enough to play at the highest level.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE