Major League Baseball has suspended Phillies closer Jose Alvarado 80 games without pay for violating MLB's Joint Prevention and Treatment program. Alvarado will also be ineligible for the postseason even though his suspension will see him return in the regular season. Alvarado tested positive for exogenous Testosterone, according to reports, meaning it did not occur naturally in the body.
Alvarado, 29, has a team-high seven saves this season, a 2.70 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 20 innings pitched. He last pitched Friday against the Pirates, earning the save in an 8-4 win.
Once again, zero excuses for this. Intentional cheating or careless ingestion of supplements that's easily avoided with a phone call. A good move by the league to make him ineligible for the postseason — it makes it a real punishment beyond the financial concern. His season is likely over. The Phillies will have filled this hole in their bullpen by then and there's little benefit to ramping him up for the final 37 games of the season. Expect a release after the suspension is over.
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THE ASYLUM
Bob Maddamma
1:08 pm - 05.18.2025rochester, n.y.Major League Baseball has suspended Phillies closer Jose Alvarado 80 games without pay for violating MLB's Joint Prevention and Treatment program. Alvarado will also be ineligible for the postseason even though his suspension will see him return in the regular season. Alvarado tested positive for exogenous Testosterone, according to reports, meaning it did not occur naturally in the body.
Alvarado, 29, has a team-high seven saves this season, a 2.70 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 20 innings pitched. He last pitched Friday against the Pirates, earning the save in an 8-4 win.
Once again, zero excuses for this. Intentional cheating or careless ingestion of supplements that's easily avoided with a phone call. A good move by the league to make him ineligible for the postseason — it makes it a real punishment beyond the financial concern. His season is likely over. The Phillies will have filled this hole in their bullpen by then and there's little benefit to ramping him up for the final 37 games of the season. Expect a release after the suspension is over.
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