José Alvarado has returned to the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen after being reinstated from the restricted list. The left-handed reliever had been serving an 80-game suspension following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. He is not eligible to pitch in the postseason.
“I feel so good,” Alvarado said before Tuesday’s game against the Mariners at Citizens Bank Park. “I’m happy to be back with my teammates.”
Before his suspension, Alvarado was one of the team’s most effective relievers, recording a 2.70 ERA and converting all seven save opportunities. He struck out 25 batters and walked four over 20 innings.
Alvarado’s role with the team is currently uncertain. Since his suspension, Jhoan Duran, acquired at the Trade Deadline, has taken over as closer. The Phillies plan to ease Alvarado back into action in lower-pressure situations.
“It’s just another high-leverage arm,” manager Rob Thomson said. “I’m going to ease him — try to ease him, can’t promise that. But yeah, just a great arm, a lot of energy. He brings a lot to the table in that clubhouse.”
To make room for Alvarado on the roster, Nolan Hoffman was optioned after making his MLB debut Monday night. Max Lazar had been optioned earlier to create space for Hoffman when the bullpen was taxed during Sunday’s win over the Nationals.
Alvarado essentially fills the spot previously held by Lazar since Alvarado went on the restricted list. Another option could have been removing Jordan Romano from the roster; Romano has struggled this season with an ERA of 7.56 after giving up two runs in one-third of an inning on Monday.
Romano has had inconsistent results throughout the year, allowing eight home runs with runners on base—the highest total among MLB relievers—which has led to several poor outings. In games where he hasn’t allowed a home run, he holds a 2.29 ERA and opponents are batting .161 against him; but in games where he has allowed homers, his ERA jumps dramatically.
“He either shuts people down or he gives up two or three runs,” Thomson said about Romano. “… It just seems like it’s been one of those years. But it’s still good stuff, he gets swing-and-miss when he’s on.”
For now, Romano will remain in a low-leverage bullpen role alongside Joe Ross and David Robertson as he works back into form. Duran, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering and Tanner Banks continue handling most late-inning responsibilities.
Alvarado may contribute in key spots during the final six weeks of regular season play but will not be available for postseason games.
“It’s hard, man. It’s hard because I know I want to be there,” Alvarado said regarding his postseason ineligibility. “But that happened, and I’m here to do my best to do everything I can to help the team win a lot of games.”
He added about fan reaction upon returning: “I’m ready for everything,” he said.
