Wilson

Alvarez

Alvarez is more comfortable in long relief, even though it doesn’t do much for his fantasy value. Hopefully the Dodgers won’t have any more problems with the rotation and he can stay there, making the entire staff more effective.

The Alvarez and Jose Valentin deals could be announced tomorrow.

The two years is unexpected, but the dollar amount seems fine.

Alvarez will compete with Kazuhisa Ishii, Edwin Jackson and Elmer Dessens for the lone vacancy in the Dodger rotation. It’s likely that he’ll begin the year in the pen, but he’d still be a candidate to make 15-20 starts. He’d be a nice late-round pick in NL-only leagues.

Alvarez will return in time for his Friday start. He’s been fantastic at Triple-A, going 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA in five starts.

''This is very good for me,’' Alvarez said. ''I’d like to do the same thing next season; be in the bullpen and then start whenever they need me. I don’t want to go anywhere else, because [GM Dan] Evans gave me the chance to be somebody again. That means a lot to me.’' The Dodgers will probably make an effort to bring Alvarez back, as they’re sure to need someone to spot Kevin Brown or Darren Dreifort once in a while.

Alvarez is expected to make his next appearance on Sunday.

Alvarez was scratched from his last outing with tightness in the back of his left shoulder.

The Dodgers like what Alvarez gives them as a long reliever, proving the old adage that you shouldn’t do an excellent job at something you don’t want to do. Jose Lima and Edwin Jackson are the choices to face the Giants.

Alvarez should have been a more popular free agent, but since it’s been assumed that he wanted to remain a Dodger, he hasn’t been heavily pursued.