Pirates Sign Reliever Elvis Alvarado to Major League Split Contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed reliever Elvis Alvarado to a major league split contract, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This contract grants Alvarado a coveted 40-man roster spot, marking a significant milestone in his career as a minor league free agent.


Alvarado, a 6’4″ right-handed pitcher, has had a journey through various minor league systems, including those of the Nationals, Mariners, Tigers, and Marlins. During the 2024 season, he spent most of his time in Triple-A with Miami, where he put up impressive numbers. Alvarado posted a 2.79 ERA over 48 1/3 innings, striking out an impressive one-third of the batters he faced. However, his control remains an area for improvement, as evidenced by his 18% walk rate.


Despite his command issues, Alvarado's ability to miss bats and limit runs makes him an intriguing addition to the Pirates' bullpen. Securing a 40-man roster spot for the first time in his career, Alvarado now has the opportunity to prove himself at the major league level. Pirates fans will be eager to see if his strikeout prowess can translate to success in the big leagues and provide a valuable boost to the team's relief corps.