Jose Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games for violating MLB’s performance enhancing drug policy.
From MLB: José Alvarado has gotten an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for exogenous Testosterone, a performance enhancing substance.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) May 18, 2025
Not only will Alvarado be sitting for a little while, he’s also going to be ineligible for the playoffs. The Phillies have issued a statement about the situation:
Phillies release a statement on José Alvarado: pic.twitter.com/urSjjqkxyP
— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) May 18, 2025
This is a massive blow to the team, not only now but also in the future. The team is already using a somewhat thinner bullpen than last year, even if they have been much better of late. But losing their closer for kind of period of time will push pitchers into roles that they may not be suited for. It also forced them to put pitchers into situations that they may not have planned for. It’s a bad situation all around.
It also heightens the need for the team to either develop someone from their minor leagues to be a part of the bullpen internally, or they have to go from outside of the organization to find someone who can be a part of it. It’s just bad.
Alvarado made a bad decision, one that is going to cost the team this year during the regular season and in the (potential) postseason. It’s going to cost Alvarado some money as well as he was interested in his option being picked up and possibly being extended. That’s in a gray area right now.
Just kind of a bad day for the team.
