Athletics Claim RHP Elvis Alvarado off Waivers from Pittsburgh

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics claimed right-handed pitcher Elvis Alvarado off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the club announced today. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated right-handed pitcher Anthony Maldonado for assignment.

Alvarado spent the 2024 season in the Miami Marlins organization and combined for a 3-4 record, 11 saves and a 2.66 ERA in 41 relief appearances with Triple-A Jacksonville and Single-A Jupiter. He held the opposition to a .188 batting average, but walked 40 batters in 50.2 innings while striking out 74. The 25-year-old right-hander signed a Major League contract with Pittsburgh on Dec. 28, 2024 but was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Alvarado was originally signed by the Nationals out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 and is 15-14 with 23 saves and a 4.25 ERA in 175 games, including seven starts, in six seasons in the minors.

Maldonado was claimed off waivers from Miami on Nov. 4, 2024. He made his Major League debut with the Marlins last year and was 1-1 with a save, a 5.68 ERA and .768 opponents OPS in 16 games, including one start, over four stints with the Marlins. The 26-year-old right-hander also went 4-4 with five saves, a 4.66 ERA and .789 opponents OPS in 33 relief appearances with Triple-A Jacksonville.