Michael Alvarez: Everything you need to know

Alvarez allowed two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out four over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Tuesday. Alvarez had displayed fairly good control in his first six appearances this season, but he didn't deliver in that area Tuesday. Luckily for him, the Giants' offense didn't capitalize much against him -- the two runs on his line came when Brad Lord allowed both inherited runners to score in the fifth inning. Alvarez is now at a 3.70 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings over seven appearances (two starts) in the majors this season. Maintaining his control will be critical for Alvarez to keep a spot in the rotation. His next start is tentatively projected to be at home versus the Royals.

Alvarez didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Marlins, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five, The 26-year-old southpaw tossed a season-high 82 pitches (47 strikes) as he continues to get stretched out to fill a rotation spot while Jake Irvin (shoulder) is on the shelf. Alvarez has held his own since rejoining the big-league roster in mid-May, and over five appearances (one start) he's posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB in 16 innings. He has yet to last five full innings in any of those outings, however, limiting his fantasy appeal if the Nationals intend to use him as a traditional starter rather than having him work behind an opener. Alvarez lines up to get his next turn through the rotation on the road early next week in San Francisco.

The Nationals list Alvarez as their starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Washington. Alvarez will be making his second straight turn through the Washington rotation, this time in a traditional starter role after the Nationals deployed him as a bulk reliever Friday. Stepping into the rotation spot that had previously belonged to the injured Jake Irvin (shoulder), Alvarez entered the game after opener Paxton Schultz pitched the first inning. The 26-year-old lefty proceeded to work three innings, taking a no-decision while allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks.