Biography

BIOGRAPHY

José Ricardo Álvarez was born May 6, 1989, in Barcelona, Anzoátegui, Venezuela. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

He was signed as an international free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 2005. In the minor leagues, Álvarez was a 2009 New York–Penn League mid-season All Star, and a 2011 Florida State League mid-season All Star. In the winter of 2014–15, he was named Venezuelan Professional Baseball League Pitcher of the Year. He made his major league debut in 2013. In 2018 he was second in the American League in appearances, with 76.

On March 6, 2021, Álvarez signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, that included a $1.5 million club option for 2022. In the 2021 regular season, Álvarez was 5-2 with a career-best 2.37 ERA in 67 games (1 start), in which he pitched 64.2 innings and allowed 7.4 hits per 9 innings pitched.