By Daniel de Malas/ danieldemalas@swincompleto.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers are again optimistic with one of the greatest investments they have made in Cuban players, this time with the potential return of Matanzas-born Yadier Álvarez, who signed for a good amount of money: 16 million dollars.
It has been a while, however, since the agreement of the prospect was reached in 2015, and today, at age 25 and following problems with his throwing arm and with his behavior, the kid climbed the mound, as reported by Bill Plunkett.
Yadier who was DFA early in 2020 had a bullpen session this Saturday in the Dodgers’ minor league training camp.
The Yadier Alvarez story continues. High-bonus right handed was signed out of Cuba in 2015. Highly-ranked as #Dodgers prospect but never developed. DFAed in spring 2020. He’s in camp again this spring. Among those who threw bullpen session today.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 5, 2022
The Cuban hurler, theoretically in the Tulsa Drillers’ roster (Dodgers AA affiliate) has had an unsteady career in professional baseball, but the 100 mph fastball he had in 2015 created expectations that are still alive for the Bums seven years later.
In five years in the Minors, Yadier Álvarez has a 4.07 ERA, with 253 strikeouts and 120 walks in 214.1 innings, sporting a 9-13 ledger and only eight homers allowed, and the highest level he has reached in the minors is precisely Double A.
Born in Matanzas in 1996, he could bring joy to all his followers and Cuban baseball fans, for he was always talented. Hopefully everything will be aligned for him very soon and his arrival in MLB might be possible.
He has taken the first step in 2022 by returning to the spring bullpen of the Dodgers.
