The Giants need to be adding quality lefty relievers, not losing them.
Yet it appears they will be down one for the remainder of this year and possibly in 2023. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Jose Alvarez has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ulnar collateral ligament strain and is likely to require Tommy John surgery.
It’s just the latest blow in what has been a year to forget for Alvarez, who struggled mightily with a 5.28 ERA in 15 1/3 innings this season before being placed on the Injured List.
Alvarez, 33, was stellar last year, posting a 2.37 ERA in 64 2/3 innings as a key member of the best bullpen in baseball.
The Giants are far from that this year, in part because their lefty relief options have just not executed at the same level.
San Francisco will continue down the home stretch with Jarlín García, Alex Young and Thomas Szapucki has their only lefty relief options.
Alvarez was acquired by the Giants in a trade with the Phillies before the 2021 season. Throughout his 10-year career, Alvarez has a 3.47 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Alvarez is set to hit free agency after this season.
