Philadelphia Philliescloser José Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball after failing a performance-enhancing drug test. The suspension, which is effective immediately, will also prevent him from pitching in the postseason. "The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today's news of Jose's violation," the team saidin a statement. In his fifth season with Philadelphia, Alvarado has a 2.70 ERA with seven saves, 25 strikeouts and four walks in 20 innings. He was acquired from theTampa Bay Raysbefore the 2021 season in a three-team trade. Losing their closer is a major blow for the Phillies, who arecurrently 1.5 games behindtheNew York Metsin the National League East with a 27-18 record. Alvarado has been the team's most reliable reliever in a bullpen that ranks fourth-worst in the NL with a 4.66 ERA and eight blown saves. An 80-game suspension is the penalty for a first-time offender under MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy. A second violation would draw a 162-game suspension, and a third results in a lifetime ban from the sport. Alvarado's suspension will make him unavailable to the Phillies until mid-August. But even more of a concern is his unavailability for the postseason, when starting pitchers throw fewer innings and bullpen depth is at a premium. Philadelphia could tryJordan Romano,Tanner BanksorMatt Strahmto replace Alvarado, though Romano (7.71 ERA) did not pitch well when he began the season in the closer role. Finding another closer or top setup reliever could become a priority for president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Alvarado, 30, is in the final year of a three-year, $22 million contract. He has a $9 million club option for next season, but these developments may affect the Phillies' decision-making. In his nine MLB seasons, he's compiled a 3.40 ERA, averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
