Nationals option Andrew Alvarez to Triple-A

Alvarez was given a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but he coughed that up in the third before being lifted from a tie game in the fifth. He’s given up 11 earned runs in 12 innings over his last three outings, taking his ERA from 3.05 to 4.22. He’ll probably pitch again Sunday against the D-backs, but it could be as a bulk guy.

Alvarez also hit a batter and the Astros went 3-for-3 stealing bases against him, which helps explain how he gave up five runs despite allowing just four singles and no extra-base hits. Alvarez has walked 21 in 47 innings in the majors this year. He’s managed a 3.64 ERA anyway, but he can’t keep putting guys on base like this. Since he won’t be needed to make another start before the break, the Nationals might send him down to the minors to keep him sharp.

Alvarez allowed two hits while pitching behind opener Brad Lord. He had started in each of his past five appearances, but this was his first scoreless outing since moving to the rotation. The left-hander will look to keep it rolling next time out against the Astros.

Alvarez kept the Orioles off the board through the first three innings but found himself in a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. With two outs and the bases full, Blaze Alexander singled to drive in two runs to give the Orioles their first runs of the night, but Alvarez would get out of the jam on the next at-bat. It would be the only two runs Alvarez would allow on the day, but he would be pulled with one out in the fifth inning after getting Gunnar Hendrson to ground out in the lefty-on-lefty matchup to start the frame. Alvarez has allowed three earned runs or fewer in every appearance this season but has yet to make it out of the fifth inning. He can be left off the fantasy radar for his next start, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Alvarez allowed four hits and didn’t walk anyone. This was his fourth start since transitioning to the rotation, but he hasn’t yet completed five innings. The left-hander isn’t on the fantasy radar for his next outing against the Orioles in Baltimore.

Alvarez gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five. The 27-year-old left-hander moved into the starting rotation at the beginning of the month and is yet to complete five innings in any of his three starts. Alvarez had only thrown 58 pitches when the Nationals went to the bullpen for the fifth inning, rather than let him face the Royals’ batting order a third time. Alvarez has solid numbers with a 3.07 xFIP and 31 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings this year, but that kind of conservative usage we saw on Monday is a serious detriment to his fantasy value. He’ll face the Rays on the road this weekend.

Alvarez held the Giants scoreless through four innings, but was working around plenty of traffic as he stranded eight baserunners through the four frames. He allowed the first two batters to reach in the fifth. That would be it for Alvarez, departing at 90 pitches. Both inherited runners would come in to score. He struck out four. The 26-year-old left-hander will take a 3.70 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and a 26/11 K/BB ratio across 24 1/3 innings into a home start against the Royals on Monday.

A solid first start for Alvarez this year after he previously posted a 4.02 ERA in 15 2/3 innings over five relief appearances. There’s no real upside here, but Alvarez is more likely to give the Nationals five decent innings each time out than a few other pitchers the team has tried in recent years. He’ll likely continue to start for now and face the Giants next week.

It was by far his worst bulk appearance of the year -- his first with more than two runs allowed and also his first with multiple walks. He threw a season high 74 pitches to get those three innings against what was, on paper, a Padres lineup that hasn’t hit lefties well all year. Assuming the Nationals want to continue to give him bulk appearances, Alvarez is lined up to do so against the Marlins next week.

Alvarez has a 2.84 ERA in 12 2/3 innings, will get a better shot at a win with this news, and the Padres haven’t hit well at all this year. It’s hard to recommend the Alvarez streaming start, but we could definitely see it working out.