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Phillies' Jose Alvarado Expected to Make Impact After 80-Game PED Suspension

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for bullpen help, especially after the struggles of their current players. But, one of the main reasons why the team is in more desperate need of a reliever is due to the suspension of Jose Alvarado.

He was caught using PEDs and was suspended for 80 games and the 2025 postseason. However, despite his suspension, Phillies' president of baseball operations, in an article from Jayson Stark in The Athletic, expects Alvarado to make an impact to close out the regular season.

"Don't forget... on August 19th, we do get Jose Alvarado back for the rest of the regular season, too," Dombrowski said. "So he can help us win during the regular season, even though he won't be available in the postseason."

This plan to use Alvarado in the regular season is the first inclination of how the Phillies plan to use Alvarado after his suspension. In August, the Phillies will likely be in the middle of a tightly contested race for a postseason spot, whether it's atop the NL East or a Wild Card spot if things go wrong.

But, regardless of where the Phillies are, they will likely be vying for a better seed in the postseason. With the Phillies unable to use Alvarado come October, using him while they can in August and September isn't the worst idea.

Dombrowski plans to have Alvarado be a factor for the Phillies and contribute to the bullpen to close out the 2025 regular season. While he won't pitch in the postseason, his addition to the bullpen at the end of the year could be a difference maker in the team getting a better seed, or into the postseason altogether.

Before Alvarado was suspended, he had a 2.70 ERA and a 4-1 record over 20 innings of work. He had a great 25-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which was by far the best of his career. Getting a reliever like that to help end the year could be a huge addition when the Phillies need it most.

However, there's no guarantee he's as good as he was to begin the year. He'll have sat out 80 games and wouldn't have pitched since the middle of May. But knowing Alvarado is expected to return and make a difference at the end of the year is a comforting thought as a huge trade deadline approaches for the Phillies.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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