José

Alvarado

Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller and Orion Kerkering had all worked the previous two days, opening the door for Alvarado to get his first save chance. He hadn’t pitched in a week and he was scored on in his previous two outings, but he didn’t create much drama today, allowing only a Xander Bogaerts single before completing the Phillies’ 3-0 shutout.

At this point, someone should probably encase Mason Miller in bubble wrap. It’s been a brutal start to the season for elite closers, with Duran the latest to hit the injured list. The hard-throwing 28-year-old stopper is likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario, after logging five saves to accompany a microscopic 1.35 ERA across 6 2/3 innings of work this season. There should be an official timeline from the Phillies at some point soon. Orion Kerkering has the stuff to close games and José Alvarado’s previous closing experience make him a potential option in certain matchups. However, Brad Keller is the logical choice to take over the ninth inning in Philadelphia, which makes him worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy leagues.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters three weeks ago that he would be surprised if Alvarado wasn’t back, and he wasn’t fibbing. The left-hander missed half of 2025 due to suspension and then ended the campaign on the injured list with a strained forearm, but he’s been one of the most effective left-handed relievers in baseball over the last few years, and will be a high-leverage option for Philadelphia in 2026.

Dombrowski didn’t commit to picking up Alvarado’s $9 million option, but it sounds like they’ll work something out. Alvarado missed half of the season because of a steroid suspension and then finished up on the IL with a strained left forearm, so he wouldn’t be entering free agency at a great time. However, the 30-year-old lefty has a 3.25 ERA and a 240/77 K/BB in 180 innings for the Phillies over the last four seasons.

Alvarado’s season is assuredly over, as he won’t be eligible to return for the postseason because of his PED suspension earlier in the campaign. The 30-year-old will likely be a free agent, as it seems unlikely the Phillies will exercise his club option for 2026 that is set for $9 million.

Alvarado was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for exogenous testosterone. The left-hander will be a mid-to-late inning option who sees a good amount of time against left-handed hitters now that he’s back in the fold.

Despite being suspended for breaking MLB rules, Alvarado gets to play in professional games while still serving his suspension. He sat 97.7 mph on his sinker, which was down almost two mph from where he was before being suspended. He has until August 19 to get that velocity back since that’s the date he is eligible to return to the Phillies’ bullpen.

The 30-year-old southpaw is finishing up the 80-game suspension that he received after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He’ll be eligible to return on August 19 and the Phillies plan to add him back to their bullpen at that time, though he’ll be ineligible to participate in the postseason.

Alvarado tested positive for exogenous Testosterone, according to a statement from Major League Baseball. The hard-throwing 29-year-old southpaw is also ineligible for the postseason and won’t be eligible to return until August 19. His extended absence creates a massive void in the back-end of Philadelphia’s bullpen and the fantasy fallout figures to be wide-ranging, especially if the Phillies opt to pursue a replacement on the trade market. Experienced veteran Jordan Romano is the odds-on favorite to assume the closing role, but Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering also figure to be in the mix for save chances.

It originally looked like Alvarado would pitch the eighth tonight, but he sat down after a long seventh and Jordan Romano got the call then in a 5-3 game. Alvarado went on to pitch in the ninth after Daniel Robert struggled to retire just one of the five batters he faced, Taking over with the bases loaded in an 8-4 game, Alvarado retired both batters he faced, throwing just six pitches in the process. He should be available if there’s another save chance Saturday.