Jose Alvarado is back with the Philadelphia Phillies, reinstated on Tuesday after serving an 80-game suspension for a PED violation. The big left-hander returned to a warm reception in the clubhouse, stepping into a bullpen that already features fellow flamethough reliever Jhoan Duran as a looming late-inning presence.
In his first appearance since activation, Alvarado pitched five innings across five games at Lehigh Valley, recording four strikeouts and allowing no earned runs. His return gives the Phillies a pair of electric, 100-mph arms in high-leverage situations, a welcome boost for a bullpen that has battled inconsistency all season.
Manager Rob Thomson was candid about easing Alvarado back into action. “He’s another great arm,” Thomson said. “Other than one outing down in Lehigh, he was really good. Plus, his energy around the clubhouse is always fun. Yeah, it’s great to have him back.” While the plan is to take it slow, Thomson acknowledged that the realities of the game can complicate that approach.
The biggest obstacle in Alvarado’s road back is the playoffs. Because his suspension is not served during postseason play, he is not playoff eligible. That reality weighing on the decision-making process, Thomson said the aim is to maximize regular-season wins and adjust as needed once the playoffs arrive. “It’s just another high-leverage arm,” Thomson said. “I’m going to ease him in. Try to ease him in. I can’t promise that. Great arm, lot of energy, brings a lot to the table in that clubhouse.”
Alvarado’s return is also meaningful for a bullpen that has encountered some rough patches, including veteran closer Ranger Suárez at times as well as Jordan Romano, who has had a tough season. Romano’s numbers—an ERA around 7.56 through a large workload—have been a talking point, and Thomson acknowledged the fluctuations in velocity and command. “He either shuts people down or he gives up two or three runs,” Thomson said. “There’s been some swing-and-miss when he’s on, and he’s done a pretty good job at killing innings, coming in with traffic and getting out of it. I like him.”
In the meantime, the lineup has seen a minor reshuffle designed to balance the forced changes and spark some production. Nick Castellanos, who had endured a stretch of seven hitless games in eight, was moved to the seventh spot in the order to break up the right-handed trio and create a more even balance. The decision appeared to pay dividends: Castellanos logged two hits the following day after a one-off day off, including a home run and a double in a recent game, signaling the potential for a turnaround at the plate.
Thomson also provided an update on Zack Wheeler, who underwent a thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot from his right upper extremity earlier in the week. The manager said Wheeler was feeling great and resting at home, with no timetable for a return announced.
Overall, Alvarado’s comeback injects a much-needed jolt into a bullpen that could be a difference-maker down the stretch. His presence, paired with Duran’s velocity and the rest of the relievers, gives the Phillies more late-inning options as they push toward the postseason, even as they navigate the realities of a non-playoff-eligible suspension for now.
Summary: The Phillies welcomed back Jose Alvarado from an 80-game PED suspension, reinforcing a bullpen that includes Jhoan Duran. While Alvarado won’t be playoff-eligible, his reintegration is aimed at strengthening regular-season late-inning depth, complemented by Castellanos’ recent offensive uptick and news on Zack Wheeler’s recovery. The team remains focused on winning games now while plotting a cautious path toward postseason readiness.
Extra notes for readers: Keep an eye on how the Phillies deploy Alvarado and Duran in late innings, how Castellanos continues to respond after lineup adjustments, and when Wheeler might rejoin the rotation or bullpen once fully cleared to return. The upcoming stretch should reveal how much this newly reinforced bullpen can lift the team in critical moments.