Back on the Mound

At the end of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, Jose Alvarez presented with persistent elbow pain and noted difficulty in finishing his pitches. Since coming to the MLB from Venezuela, the lefty's career was at a crossroads. He underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove painful bone spurs and a loose body in the back of his elbow joint.

After surgery, Alvarez had a very successful Winter ball campaign in Venezuela and was voted Most Valuable Player (MVP). He has since become a staple in the Angels' bullpen, leading the team over the last three seasons with 192 appearances and maintaining a 3.78 earned run average (ERA) in that span.