OAKLAND _ Henderson Alvarez is at the precipice of making his long-awaited starting debut for the A’s just when they need it most.
Alvarez, the 26-year-old Venezuelan right-hander who was an All-Star in 2014 for the Miami Marlins, threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Wednesday night in advance of the A’s game against the Texas Rangers.
“Everything was working good in the bullpen, especially the slider, it was working exactly as I want it to work,” Alvarez said through interpreter Alex Arpiza.
Alvarez has been here once before, rehabbing through spring training and the early part of the season following shoulder surgery that limited him to an 0-4 record a year ago.