The win-now Phillies have been simply dealt a big blow to their World Sequence hopes.
Left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado has been suspended 80 video games and is ineligible for the playoffs after testing optimistic for a substance that’s banned underneath MLB’s PED coverage, the league introduced.
Alvarado, Philadelphia’s finest reliever up to now this season, examined optimistic for exogenous Testosterone, in response to MLB.
“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 Phillies stated in an announcement.
Alvarado, 29, has a 2.70 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP, 25 strikeouts, seven saves and a 4-1 file in 20 innings this season.
He’s within the ultimate 12 months of a $22 million contract, with the Phillies holding a workforce choice value $9 million for the 2026 season.
Alvarado’s loss is a large one for a bullpen that has struggled this season.
The Phillies’ 4.66 ERA from relievers is the seventh-worst in MLB.
Proper-hander Orion Kerkering, a 24-year-old who had a breakout 2024 marketing campaign, has a 4.32 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 19 appearances this season, a far cry from his 2.29 ERA and 1.08 WHIP from final season.
Former Blue Jays nearer Jordan Romano has been a bust for the Phillies up to now after signing a one-year, $8.5 million contract.
The 32-year-old has a 7.71 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 19 appearances this season.
The Phillies entered Sunday with a 27-18 file, holding the second NL wild-card spot whereas sitting 1.5 video games behind the Mets for the NL East lead.
