Phillies’ Jose Alvarado Hit with 80-Game PED Ban, Shaking Up Bullpen

The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen just got slammed with a curveball: closer Jose Alvarado is out for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, Major League Baseball announced Sunday. The lefty’s positive test for exogenous testosterone violates MLB’s drug policy, sidelining him for the rest of the regular season and any potential postseason run.

The Phillies, standing at 27-18 and second in the National League East, expressed disappointment but backed MLB’s anti-doping efforts. "We’re gutted about Jose’s violation," the team stated, signaling their commitment to a clean game.

Alvarado, a standout since joining from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, has been a fireball on the mound. His ERA dropped from 4.20 to an impressive 1.74 between 2021 and 2023, though it ticked up to 4.09 in 2024. This season, he’s been lights-out in 20 games, posting a 2.70 ERA with seven saves and 25 strikeouts. Fans also loved his heartwarming Mother’s Day hat tribute to his mom, which went viral earlier this month.

Without Alvarado, the Phillies will lean heavily on relievers like Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering to close out games. It’s a tough blow for a team with postseason aspirations, and the road just got a bit rockier.