Phillies Pick Up Club Option For Relief Pitcher

The Philadelphia Phillies announced that they have exercised the club option for pitcher José Alvardo for the 2026 season. Alvarado will make $9 million in 2026. This is coming off a 2025 season in which he was suspended for 80 games and ineligible to pitch in the postseason. In addition, Alvarado saw his 2025 salary reduced due to the PED suspension. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski indicated during his end-of-season press conference that the team planned to keep Alvarado. With this move, the team has done just that. While this is not the best move for the team, it is not a surprising one given the comments Dombrowski made.

Phillies Exercise Club Option For Pitcher

Alvarado had a 4-2 record with a 3.81 ERA and seven saves in 28 outings this season. To add, Alvarado had a 1.31 WHIP along with a career-high 4.57 K/BB rate this season. Opposing batters had a .255 average and a .329 BABIP against Alvarado this year. Before the suspension, Alvarado had a 2.70 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP with a 6.25 K/BB rate in 20 innings pitched. After returning from the suspension, Alvarado had a 7.50 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP with a 2.33 K/BB rate in six innings pitched. Alvarado was shut down for the remainder of the season after going on the injured list in September. Next season, Alvarado will be in his age-31 season and his sixth with the Phillies.

Offseason Impact And Bullpen Outlook

The Phillies still have some holes to fill in the bullpen. David Robertson will not be returning to the team in 2026. Additionally, do not expect Jordan Romano and Tim Mayza to be back with the Phillies either. Keeping Alvarado maintains the left-handed relief pitching trio of Alvarado, Matt Strahm, and Tanner Banks. Alvarado has been the Phillies’ closer at points, but will return to a setup role with Jhoan Duran being on the roster now. Adding in Orion Kerkering into the mix, the Phillies are in line to keep the core relief group from the 2025 season together in 2026.