Jose Alvarado Suspended 80 Games for PED, Ineligible if Phillies Reach MLB Playoffs

Major League Baseball announced Sunday it suspended Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado for 80 games without pay because he violated the league's performing-enhancing substance policy.

The suspension is effective immediately and comes after he tested positive for exogenous Testosterone, which the league considers a performance-enhancing substance.

It also means he is ineligible to pitch in the postseason should the Phillies qualify.

The Phillies said in a statement they "fully support" the league's decision:

This is Alvarado's fifth season with the Phillies after he previously pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays during the first four years of his career.

The southpaw was off to a solid start in 2025 with seven saves, a 2.70 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 20 innings across 20 different appearances. He seemed well on his way to a return to form after he struggled in 2024 with a 4.09 ERA.

Alvarado finished the 2023 season with a 1.74 ERA for Philadelphia.

Seeing how Philadelphia has already played 45 games this season, Alvarado won't have much time to impact the remainder of the 2025 campaign. He will be eligible to return after the 125th game, which will give him fewer than 40 games left on the season.

Perhaps he will help the Phillies make a final postseason push down the stretch run, but he won't be eligible to continue any momentum from there if they do make the playoffs.

While Philadelphia is off to a solid 27-18 start and sits just 1.5 games behind the New York Mets in the National League East, its bullpen has been a problem. The unit is just 24th in the league with a 4.66 ERA, and the loss of Alvarado makes the concern even more pressing.

Jordan Romano and Matt Strahm are the other options with multiple saves on the season, although the former has a 7.71 ERA.

Given this suspension, the Phillies will likely be in the market for relief help ahead of the trade deadline.