Giants sign LHP ?lvarez to 1-year MLB deal
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants added another established arm to their bullpen mix on Saturday, announcing that they¡¯ve signed left-hander Jos¨¦ ?lvarez to a one-year, $1.15 million deal.
?lvarez¡¯s contract includes a club option for the 2022 season worth $1.5 million. If the Giants decline the option, ?lvarez would be entitled to a $100,000 buyout.
Right-hander Jordan Humphreys was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Padres, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster for ?lvarez. It was the second time the Giants have lost Humphreys, who had recently been reacquired via a waiver claim from Cleveland.
?lvarez, 31, has a 3.59 ERA over eight Major League seasons with the Tigers, Angels and Phillies, with whom he pitched under current Giants manager Gabe Kapler in 2019. ?lvarez posted a 1.42 ERA over eight appearances in 2020, but his season came to an end when he was struck in the groin by a 105.3-mph comebacker on Aug. 20. He was subsequently placed on the 45-day injured list with a testicular contusion.
¡°I have some familiarity with Jos¨¦ from my time with him in Philly,¡± Kapler said. ¡°He¡¯s a very dependable, durable reliever who is ready to take the ball in any situation. He throws strikes, misses some bats. He¡¯s pretty good against left and right. A nice addition to our ¡®pen. He¡¯s going to fit right in.¡±
The Giants were already fairly deep with left-handed relief options, as they signed veteran Jake McGee to a two-year, $5 million deal over the offseason and also have Jarl¨ªn Garc¨ªa, Wandy Peralta, Sam Selman and Caleb Baragar on their 40-man roster. Still, the club has been prioritizing pitching depth to help ensure that it has enough arms to get through a 162-game season.
Kapler said he¡¯s confident ?lvarez will have enough time to build up for Opening Day despite his late arrival, which should make him a lock for the Giants¡¯ bullpen, along with McGee and Garc¨ªa. Peralta, Selman and Baragar have Minor League options, so they could open the season at Triple-A Sacramento if they¡¯re left off the Opening Day roster.