It was reported last week that Alvarez would be joining the Pirates on a minor league contract, but here's the tweet that the 30-year-old right-hander sent out late Sunday night: "I want you to know that the signing with the [Pirates] did not materialize, I return to the independent league again, reasons why they signed another player, I'm still looking for a new opportunity and we're still here working hard." Alvarez, a National League All-Star in 2014 with the Marlins, hasn't appeared in a major league game since September 2017 with the Phillies.

The news comes courtesy of Robert Murray, formerly of The Athletic. Alvarez had been pitching with the independent league Milwaukee Milkmen and evidently caught the eye of the Pirates. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2017, having battled multiple shoulder problems.

Alvarez was in camp as a non-roster invitee but was never likely to make the team. He's made just seven big-league starts over the last four seasons, so his chances of making a significant impact this year are low.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training, per Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post. Alvarez spent the 2018 season with Quintana Roo of the Mexican League, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 64:24 K:BB across 120.2 innings (19 starts). He owns a career 3.82 ERA across parts of five big-league seasons, though he hasn't been effective at the major-league level since his all-star campaign with the Marlins in 2014.