Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for PEDs, per Robert Murray. The lefty flamethrower was flagged for exogenous testosterone in what marks his first offense under MLB’s drug policy.
The suspension delivers a significant blow to Philadelphia’s bullpen. Alvarado won’t be eligible to return until mid-August, and more importantly, he’s now ineligible for postseason play should the Phillies make it.
Alvarado, 29, has established himself as one of baseball’s premier left-handed relievers since joining the Phillies in a three-team trade from Tampa Bay before the 2021 season. While capable of lighting up radar guns, he’s found success by relying more on his sinker and cutter combination to jam hitters.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Philadelphia. Alvarado was having a bounce-back season with a 2.70 ERA, seven saves and five holds across 20 innings. He’d struck out 25 batters while posting a 4-1 record, providing reliable late-inning stability alongside Jordan Romano.
What this means for the Phillies
Philadelphia’s bullpen depth is already stretched thin with Jose Ruiz sidelined by neck spasms. Alvarado’s absence creates a significant void at the back end, especially considering he leads the team in saves this season.
Romano will likely shoulder more high-leverage situations, which is concerning given his struggles (7.71 ERA). The Phillies will need increased contributions from Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and possibly Taijuan Walker, who’s been splitting time between starting and relief duties.
Exogenous testosterone – simply put, testosterone not produced naturally by the body – can come from injectable testosterone, gels, pills, or pellets. It’s a banned substance under MLB’s drug policy.
Alvarado is in the final year of a 3-year, $22 million contract. The Phillies hold a $9 million club option for 2026, which now comes with additional considerations given this suspension.
Alvarado’s Career Stats
| Year | Team | Games | Record | ERA | Innings | Strikeouts |
| 2017 | Rays | 35 | 0-3 | 3.64 | 29.2 | 29 |
| 2018 | Rays | 70 | 1-6 | 2.39 | 64.0 | 80 |
| 2019 | Rays | 35 | 1-6 | 4.80 | 30.0 | 39 |
| 2020 | Rays | 9 | 0-0 | 6.00 | 9.0 | 13 |
| 2021 | Phillies | 64 | 7-1 | 4.20 | 55.2 | 68 |
| 2022 | Phillies | 59 | 4-2 | 3.18 | 51.0 | 81 |
| 2023 | Phillies | 42 | 0-2 | 1.74 | 41.1 | 64 |
| 2024 | Phillies | 66 | 2-5 | 4.09 | 61.2 | 63 |
| 2025 | Phillies | 20 | 4-1 | 2.70 | 20.0 | 25 |
SN’s MLB HQ: Live MLB scores | Updated MLB standings | Full MLB schedule
MLB’s PED Policy
Under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement (last updated in 2022), players are prohibited from using, possessing, selling or distributing any drug of abuse, human growth hormone, or steroid. Players undergo regular testing throughout the season.
The penalties for PED violations are structured in escalating fashion:
- First offense: 80-game suspension
- Second offense: 162-game suspension
- Third offense: Lifetime ban
The Phillies and/or Alvarado will likely release a statement addressing the situation. It’s common for players to claim they unknowingly ingested a banned substance through medication or supplements.
For a Phillies team with championship aspirations, losing a key bullpen piece for most of the regular season – and potentially the entire postseason – creates a significant hurdle they’ll need to overcome.
