Phillies Closer José Alvarado Suspended 80 Games For PEDs

Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado has been suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, a performance-enhancing drug banned by Major League Baseball. The suspension is effective immediately, rendering Alvarado ineligible for the postseason this year, which significantly impacts the Phillies' bullpen and postseason aspirations. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski suggested the positive test may have stemmed from a weight-loss drug Alvarado took during the offseason, and Alvarado accepted the suspension without appeal. Alvarado, who leads the team with seven saves and holds a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances this season, will lose approximately $4.5 million and will be eligible to return on August 19. The Phillies expressed disappointment but support MLB's drug policy, and manager Rob Thomson emphasized the need to move forward with other bullpen options like Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering. The team will likely seek bullpen upgrades before the trade deadline to mitigate the loss.