Eliezer

Alvarez

Alvarez, 22, sported a .323/.404/.476 batting line with six homers and 36 steals at Peoria this season. The Cards now don’t have to worry about him being taken in the Rule 5 Draft.

Alvarez has yet to play above A-ball, so he was an expected cut. He’ll get a shot at High-A for the first time to start 2017.

It’s a crafty move by the Phillies, who got Nicasio on a straight waiver claim from the Pirates at the end of August and have now turned him into a decent infield prospect. Alvarez, 22, owns a .285/.360/.431 batting line in 323 career minor league games, though he didn’t have a very good 2017 at Double-A.

The move became necessary when the Phillies selected the contract of Pedro Florimon on Friday. Acquired from the Cardinals for Juan Nicasio in September, the 23-year-old infielder was once considered one of the better infield prospects in the St. Louis system, but has seen his stock drop significantly over the past few seasons. Assuming he clears waivers, he’ll likely begin the year in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Alvarez was designated for assignment earlier in the week. The light-hitting infielder passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as minor league infield depth for the Rangers.

Alvarez was designated for assignment by Philadelphia last week. The 23-year-old infielder was once a well-regarded prospect in the Cardinals’ system, but his stock fell last season as he hit just .247/.321/.382 over 209 plate appearances at Double-A.

Alvarez was only up in the majors for a day and didn’t get a plate appearance. He has batted just .196/.290/.299 in 28 games this season at the Double-A level.

The move clears a spot for Ricardo Rodriguez’s activation from the 60-day disabled list. Alvarez, 23, was batting just .189/.279/.283 over 185 plate appearances this season in Double-A.

Alvarez will likely be up only for a day or two until Adrian Beltre (hamstring) returns. The 23-year-old is hitting only .196/.290/.299 at Frisco this season.