Henderson Alvarez finishes in-game spring work, eager to take mound Opening Day
JUPITER, Fla. -- Miami Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez expects nerves during his Opening Day start Monday at Marlins Park.
It won't, however, be the first time he pitches on a significant date on the calendar. In 2012, he started the Toronto Blue Jays home opener in front of 48,473.
"I was nervous seeing a packed house like that," Alvarez said via translator following Tuesday's outing. "It kind of overwhelms you with emotion, and I'm expecting kind of a similar situation in Miami with a packed house. I expect some nerves, but I'll be fine."
With ace Jose Fernandez out until the summer, Alvarez was the likely choice to start. He has pitched the final game of the past two seasons, throwing a no-hitter in 2013. Last year, he made the All-Star team and finished with the sixth-lowest ERA (2.65) in the National League.
Despite that, Alvarez didn't think about it when he arrived in Jupiter this February. Alvarez, who turns 25 next month, admitted being the Opening Day starter in the big leagues was a goal of his. It became a reality when manager Mike Redmond and pitching coach Chuck Hernandez told him the news this past weekend.
"I came into this spring and prepared myself for whatever role was set out for me," Alvarez said. "If it was the Opening Day starter, second starter, third starter. Whatever it may be I was just looking forward to helping the team. Once they told me I was the opening starter, I was very happy to hear that."
In his final start of the spring, Alvarez allowed one run on six hits over six innings with two walks and one strikeout in a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Of his 88 pitches 58 went for strikes. He induced two double plays and seven groundouts overall. His lone blemish came in the fifth, when Kolten Wong singled in Pete Kozma following a one-out double.
Alvarez concluded Grapefruit League play with a 1-1 record and 4.26 ERA in five starts. In 19 innings, he gave up nine runs on 21 hits with four walks and nine strikeouts.
"Really did exactly what you want to see out of a pitcher his last start of spring training," manager Mike Redmond said. "You can tell he had that different look and that different adrenaline going out there (today) like he was pitching to get ready for Opening Day. I think you saw that."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
