José Alvarado drops hilariously NSFW sound bite during dugout interview

Spring training in a Major League Baseball camp usually follows a rather predictable narrative arc. The players arrive after a long winter and get ready for the new season, while fans start to get excited that baseball is back and warmer weather is right around the corner. It includes the predictable coming into camp "in the best shape of my life" quotes that get fans excited and make baseball writers roll their eyes.

That's why the self-deprecating and not-safe-for-work interview with Phillies flame-throwing lefty José Alvarado during yesterday's Phillies-Yankees game on NBC Sports Philadelphia and posted to social media by the Absolutely Hammered podcast refreshingly bucks that trend. (Tell the kids to leave the room for a minute or cover their ears when you play the clip.)

When asked about getting his legs strong, Alvarado replied that he's a grizzly bear, followed by an honest self-assessment that sent Tom McCarthy and John Kruk into fits of laughter: "Sometimes I call to my people in the clubhouse, 'Bro, I feel like a fat boy. I'm f****** fat.'"

Baseball players, they're just like us.

There you have it — the type of wisdom and honesty that has become a normal part of the now-popular in-game interview. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Alvarado has compared his body type to that of a grizzly bear. Has Alvarado earned himself a new nickname? Stay tuned.

Alvarado's hot spring is a welcome sign as the Phillies bullpen deals with injuries and uncertainty

José Alvarado has been lights out since Grapefruit League games began in late February. The nasty left-handed reliever has looked to be in mid-season form as he's dominated hitters so far this spring. In five appearances, Alvarado has pitched five innings while striking out four and allowing earned one run while only issuing a single walk.

But with the recent news that Phillies phenom and potential closer candidate Orion Kerkering could miss the start of the season as he battles back from a reported illness, the pressure could be on Alvarado to slam the door in the ninth inning to begin the season.

As has been previously reported, the Phillies will enter the 2024 season without naming a closer, and during a January conversation with Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia, manager Rob Thomson discussed the concept of a number of high-leverage bullpen guys rotating in that spot late in the game.

"I kind of like the floating closer, if you will," said Thomson per Seidman. "It just gives us a few more options."

Those options appear to be names like Alvarado, Kerkering, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, Jeff Hoffman, and possibly Matt Strahm. As the Phillies embark on this experiment with a closer by committee, the bullpen appears to have three open spots to fill before the team packs up and heads to Philadelphia for the home opener on March 28.

With Kerkering likely out and Dylan Covey and Michael Rucker both confirmed to begin the season on the IL, who will fill the open roster spots will be something to watch out for in the last week of spring training. Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti have been trying to fight their way back into the major league bullpen all spring. Minor league free agents Spencer Turnbull and Kolby Allard could also be options, but the decision will be made sometime next week.

There's nothing wrong with a little competition, and Phillies fans still have a couple of storylines to follow as the 2024 squad wraps up the final full week of spring training.