PHILADELPHIA — José Alvarado will probably be again within the Phillies’ bullpen in 2026.
The workforce introduced on Wednesday night time that it exercised Alvarado’s $9 million membership possibility for subsequent season. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski strongly instructed final month that Alvarado, 30, would return.
“I’d be shocked … that Alvarado will not be again with us,” he mentioned.
Alvarado went 4-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 28 appearances this yr. However, most necessary, he obtained suspended in Might for 80 video games for violating Main League Baseball’s coverage towards performance-enhancing medicine. He returned in late August, however he completed the season on the injured record due to a strained left forearm.
Alvarado was ineligible to pitch within the postseason, which was a blow to the bullpen.
All through all of it, nevertheless, Dombrowski maintained his religion in Alvarado. He mentioned a number of instances that he thought Alvarado would preserve his velocity and efficiency with out the advantage of PEDs, saying Alvarado took them for weight-loss functions.
“His well being is ok,” Dombrowski mentioned. “He’s already obtained all of the medical consideration that he must have in preparation for subsequent yr, so we be ok with that. I believe he’ll be wonderful. It was a troublesome spot, as we all know, all yr — with out going again into that.”
Alvarado’s sinker averaged 99.3 mph from Opening Day by Might 16, which was his final look earlier than he obtained suspended.
It averaged 98.3 mph upon his return on Aug. 20 till he landed on the IL.
It solely made sense for the Phillies to select up Alvarado’s possibility, particularly in the event that they imagine his PED suspension is not going to have an effect on future efficiency. Elite bullpen arms are arduous to search out, and when Alvarado is correct, he is likely one of the higher late-inning relievers in baseball. He had a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances earlier than the suspension, putting out 25 and strolling 4 in 20 innings.
He’ll be part of a 2026 bullpen that features nearer Jhoan Duran, left-handers Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks and right-hander Orion Kerkering.
