José Alvarado out for the rest of the season
Phillies reliever José Alvarado will not play again this season. He was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain.
Alvarado had a 4-2 record with a 3.81 ERA in 26 innings pitched in 28 appearances this season.
The pitcher served an 80-game suspension for the use of performance-enhancing substances, from May 18 to August 18, after testing positive for exogenous testosterone. Phillies’ president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, explained that the positive result was due to a weight loss medication that Alvarado consumed during the offseason.
Due to the suspension, Alvarado will not be able to participate in the postseason.
Before the suspension, Alvarado had a 4-1 record with an ERA of 2.70 and seven saves, usually performing as the team’s closer. The Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran, from Minnesota, at the July 31st trade deadline, who has performed outstandingly in that role since then.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson described Alvarado’s injury as “pretty mild, but enough to put him on the injured list. Our plan now is to get him ready for next year.”
The Phillies have a $9 million club option on Alvarado for 2026, which includes a $500,000 buyout if they decide not to re-sign him.
