Phillies pitcher José Alvarado suspended after testing positive for performance-enhancing substance
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher José Alvarado is suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, violating , according to the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced , which is effective immediately, on Sunday morning shortly before noon.
The 80-game suspension comes after Alvarado tested positive for exogenous testosterone, according to the announcement.
The Phillies following the news about the pitcher's suspension.
"The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today's news of Jose's violation," the team's statement read.
The suspension makes Alvarado ineligible for the postseason, but he could return on Aug. 19 against the Seattle Mariners. barring rainouts that push games later into the season.
The Phillies losing their best high-leverage arm for 80 games and the playoffs makes it likely that Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, will have to use prospect capital again to add a high-leverage arm at the trade deadline.
The Phillies traded Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the deadline in 2022. Last July, they acquired Carlos Estevez and Tanner Banks. With Alavardo suspended, Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering will
"We've got to move on," manager Rob Thomson said. "It's too bad, but we've got to move on. We have really good pieces here that can pick up the slack."
Alvarado is currently in his fifth season with Philadelphia and in the final season of a three-year $22 million contract, which has a team option for 2026.
A 29-year-old left-hander, Alvarado is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA and seven saves in seven chances. His 99.6 mph four-seam fastball velocity ranks fifth among those who have thrown 250 or more pitches.
Dombrowski said the positive test was caused by a weight loss drug Alvarado took during the offseason. Dombrowski said Alvarado accepted the suspension and did not appeal.
"It's not something he did knowingly," Dombrowski said. "I believe that, the way he talked to me."
Fans react to Alvarado's suspension
Fans headed to Citizens Bank Park for the game Sunday afternoon said losing Alvarado could hurt the Phillies but expressed hope the rest of the team and the front office will step up.
"We right away wondered how it would impact the playoffs, obviously. And my second thought walking here was, 'I wonder how the team's feeling today,'" Phillies fan Kathleen Maloney said.
Fan Tony Meccariello said his first reaction was disappointment, but he's looking on the bright side.
"We got a good lineup, we got a good starting rotation," Meccariello said. "Got confidence the front office will make some moves, we'll be all right."
Overall, fans were generally optimistic the team can overcome the loss.
"Through adversity, I think maybe we can get better and find a way to come to the playoffs strong," Phillies fan Kevin said.
The Phillies defeated Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, Sunday.
