Phillies hit with shocking PED suspension as bullpen spirals into peril

A key arm in the Philadelphia bullpen has received an 80-game suspension and won't be eligible for the postseason.
Philadelphia Phillies reliever José Alvarado has been suspended by MLB for 80 games for testing positive for a PED
Philadelphia Phillies reliever José Alvarado has been suspended by MLB for 80 games for testing positive for a PED | Brandon Sloter/GettyImages

The Philadelphia Phillies and their fans were absolutely blind sided on Sunday morning by the news that left-hander José Alvarado has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 games for testing positive for a performance enhancing substance, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Alvarado, 29, is a key piece at the back end of the Phillies bullpen and his lose is a gigantic blow to the team's World Series aspirations. While Alvarado will be eligible to return to the team before the end of the regular season, the suspension means that he will be ineligible for the postseason.

Phillies' José Alvarado hit with shocking 80-game PED suspension in midst of bounce back year

After a down 2024 season, Alvarado had bounced back this year. In 20 games, the big lefty has a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, with 25 strikeouts and just four walks in 20 innings of work. He is a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances and has five holds under his belt.

The Phillies' bullpen had a strenuous start to the season before a recent runaround. Alvarado had been one of the few steady hands that manager Rob Thomson had been able to turn to since Opening Day.

According to Charlotte Vines of The Athletic, Thomson officially learned of the suspension this morning, but had heard rumblings. He told the team, who were rightly "kind of shocked," at 11:30.

As details continued to come out, the Phillies released the following statement:

"The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today's news of José's violation."

Alvarado had come to camp looking trimmer than usual, and started the spring firing 100 mph heat through spring training. He was nearly untouchable in Grapefruit league action.

According to Tim Kelly of On Pattison, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that Alvarado tested positive for a weight loss drug, but also had two subsequent negative tests, per Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Phillies will need to find more bullpen help now. Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks are the only left-handed relievers remaining on the roster. Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation reported that right-hander José Ruiz, who was on a rehab assignment in Triple-A, will be activated to take Alvarado's spot on the roster.

With right-hander Jordan Romano rounding into form of late, it looks like all the save situations going forward will fall to him. But don't be shocked to see Dombrowski and the Phillies look outside the organization for bullpen help sooner, rather than later.

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