BREAKING: The Philadelphia Phillies have reinstated left-hander Jose Alvarado from the restricted list just before their game against the Seattle Mariners on September 26, 2023. This urgent update follows Alvarado’s completion of an 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Alvarado’s return to the team comes with significant implications; he is ineligible for the postseason, raising questions for manager Rob Thomson about his closing strategies during the final weeks of the regular season. Before his suspension on May 18, Alvarado boasted a 4-1 record, seven saves, and an impressive 2.70 ERA.
Amid the team’s playoff push, Alvarado’s absence has left a gap in the bullpen, and the Phillies must now consider alternatives such as Jhoan Duran, Jordan Romano, and setup men Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm. Alvarado, who has accumulated 52 career saves, including a career-high 13 in 2024, expressed his commitment to help the team despite the setback he faced.
In a statement regarding Alvarado’s suspension, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski clarified that the positive test was attributed to a weight loss drug taken during the offseason, emphasizing, “It’s not something he did knowingly.”
During his brief rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Alvarado excelled, allowing no runs in five appearances while striking out four batters and issuing four walks across five innings. His strong performance bolsters hopes for his future contributions to the team.
To accommodate Alvarado’s return to the 26-man roster, right-hander Nolan Hoffman has been optioned to Lehigh Valley, while left-hander Josh Walker was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
As the Phillies gear up for the final stretch of the season, the focus now shifts to how they will navigate the absence of Alvarado in the playoffs. Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching for potential lineup adjustments and how Thomson will deploy his bullpen.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Phillies strive for postseason success without one of their key pitchers.