Tampa Bay Rays: Promote Jose Alvarado from Montgomery

The Tampa Bay Rays have promoted left-hander Jose Alvarado from Double-A Montgomery, filling the need for a left-hander out of the bullpen.

Without a left-hander in the bullpen since placing Xavier Cedeno on the disabled back in April, the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday promoted reliever Jose Alvarado from Double-A Montgomery and in a corresponding move optioned Chih-Wei Hu back to Triple-A Durham.

The need for a left-hander was becoming costly for the Rays in terms of over-working Danny Farquhar, as he had been used as a “pseudo” lefty since Cedeno hit the disabled list and though he was capable of taking on the role, it was becoming apparent that a true left-hander was needed.

Although he had never pitched above the Class-A level, the Rays protected him from the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to their 40-man roster in December. An impressive spring training showing 0-0, 0.00 ERA in three appearances (3-IP) the 21-year-old walked none, allowed just one hit and struck out three helped the Rays in their decision for his promotion.

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Following spring training the Rays assigned him to Double-A Montgomery where he has appeared in nine games with a 2-1 record and 2.38 ERA over 11.3 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits, with 14 strikeouts, five walks while holding opposing batters to a .111 average.

Last year Alvarado opened the season with Bowling Green of the Midwest League (Low Class-A) where he went 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA (24.2-IP) in 10 appearances allowing five runs on 12 hits (four earned) with 34 strikeouts, two saves and 17 walks. He was promoted to the Charlotte Stone Crabs (Adv Class-A) of the Florida State League in May where he posted a 2-1 record with a 3.91 ERA (46-IP) in 27 appearances allowing 27 runs on 38 hits (20 earned) with 51 strikeouts, and 38 walks.

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Chih-Wei Hu was called-up from Durham on April 23 to replace Tommy Hunter who the Rays placed on the DL with a calf strain. Wei Hu appeared in one game, pitching just one inning with zeros across the board.