José Alvarado has been suspended. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Ross
The Phillies got devastating news Sunday morning when Major League Baseball announced that José Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games (and will be ineligible for the postseason) because of a failed performance-enhancing drug test.
Jose Alvarado suspended 80 games. pic.twitter.com/vlyMYXQrC8
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) May 18, 2025
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that he first learned that Alvarado was accepting the suspension Sunday morning. Dombrowski became aware of the flagged test near the end of the series in Tampa Bay earlier this month when Alvarado and his agent informed the team of what was transpiring. Alvarado ultimately elected not to appeal the suspension.
"It was a while ago, and it was one test," Dombrowski said. "And subsequent tests of that were not failed."
Still, the Phillies — probably at the back half of their World Series window — are now left to pick up the pieces without Alvarado for 80 games, and then the entirety of the playoffs.
"Well, it's disappointing for sure, there's no question about that," Dombrowski acknowledged. "We've had other issues that have come up at various times. To me, I end up treating it like an injury. It's really what it is because you need to replace somebody for 80 games and hopefully into the postseason. He's not eligible for that time period. It's not something he did knowingly. I believe that, the way he talked to me.
"Basically, the system is a very stringent system in the sense that you're responsible for what goes into your body," Dombrowski continued. "That's what it really comes down to. I know what he was doing, he was trying to take a weight-loss reduction. He's always been self-conscious of his weight, and working hard on it. And something he took gave a positive result. But ultimately, it's a situation where if it happens, you're still responsible for it."
Alvarado did come into Spring Training looking significantly slimmer than he was last year, so it checks out that he may have been using some sort of drug to help him lose weight. Whether you buy that the drug contained something Alvarado was unaware of that caused the failed test or he was intentionally using a PED to try to gain an advantage, it really doesn't matter. The punishment is the same: Alvarado is out for 80 games, and ineligible for the postseason.
Me: You look like you’re in amazing shape this year.
José Alvarado: “Me?! No, same guy.”
He went on to say that he ate more protein this offseason and worked very hard.
“I focused to change my body a little bit. I feel good, and now I’m here.” https://t.co/fHSwjxmjFo
It puts a Phillies team that entered the day 24th in bullpen ERA at 4.66 in an even tougher position. Alvarado had been the club's most reliable relief option, as he had posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.85 FIP over 20 appearances this season. In the short-term, José Ruiz is returning from the injured list Sunday, with Alvarado beginning his 80-game hiatus today. In the long-term, a team whose biggest need in advance of the July 31 trade deadline already appeared to be a reliever has become that much more needy. Of course, there's a long way until July 31. For now, the Phillies are going to have to make due with what they have internally.
"We do have an abundance of starters, which is a good place to start," Dombrowski acknowledged. "How that affects the decisions we make, I guess that's more as time goes on we'll see what happens."
Dombrowski said that he "doubts" that the Phillies are going to alter their starting rotation right now. But Ranger Suárez does have relief experience, and this will only further speculation about him eventually shifting to the bullpen later this season, particularly once Andrew Painter joins the rotation.
For his part, Rob Thomson informed the team around 11:30 this morning this morning, not long after he found out that Alvarado was officially being suspended. He was asked who he believes will step up in an attempt to fill Alvarado's shoes, and responded with some names and also a reminder that this isn't the first obstacle the Phillies have had to overcome during this recent run of success.
"Well, a number of guys, really," Thomson said. "Joe Ross has pitched OK. Now we have Ruiz back, who has really good stuff. We'll see where Taijuan is at after this start on Wednesday.
"We've had big injuries in the past," Thomson added. "Harper and Schwarber and J.T., and guys pick it up. That's what they do around here."
Dave Dombrowksi on José Alvarado’s suspension
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/CKfujHM0cb
Thomson has not spoken to Alvarado about the suspension. Dombrowski has, and gave some insight into how Alvarado is feeling.
"Well, very emotional from him, from his perspective," Dombrowski said. "[Assistant general manager] Jorge Velandia has been very helpful because he's known him for years and the language aspect of it. But, you know, he's very emotional about it because A) he did not want to do this and then secondly you're in the position where not only did he not want to do it, but he feels like he let people down. And so, he's very emotional about it, and that's understandable.
"And I will tell you, just so you know, he's already left town," Dombrowski revealed. "He left, so he's not gonna be here ... he did that on his own because of the emotional aspect of it."
Is it normal for a player who has just been suspended to leave town on his own accord?
"I can't tell you what normal is or not," Dombrowski said. "I don't think there is a normal."
