BLUE JAYS PROMOTE RHP HENDERSON ALVAREZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays

TORONTO, ONTARIO

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2011

ALVAREZ TO MAKE MLB DEBUT ON AUGUST 10

            The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher HENDERSON ALVAREZ from New Hampshire of the Eastern League (AA) and have outrighted left-handed pitcher WILFREDO LEDEZMA to Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).  ALVAREZ will make his Major League debut on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:07 pm, starting against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. 

            ALVAREZ, 21, has spent most of the season with New Hampshire where he posted an 8-5 record in 15 games, 14 starts with one complete game and a 2.86 ERA. The 6-1, 195 lb. right-handed pitcher made two starts with Dunedin of the Florida State League (A) to begin the season and was 0-1 with a 6.46 ERA.  In his last five starts with the Fisher Cats, the Valencia, Carabodo, Venezuela native is 4-0 with 2.20 ERA.  ALVAREZ was signed by the Blue Jays as an international free agent on October 17, 2006 at age 16.

            LEDEZMA, 30, has appeared in two games for the Blue Jays this season posting an ERA of 9.00 over 3.0 innings pitched.  The 6-4, 225 lb. left-handed pitcher will return to Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (AAA) where he is 1-1 with three saves and a 4.63 ERA in 34 relief appearances this season.