Phillies' José Alvarado returns to team albeit with caveats after PED suspension
Then, right at 3 o'clock, No. 46 stepped on the Citizens Bank Park dirt.
Advertisement
José Alvarado is still a part of this team, albeit with caveats. He has not pitched since May 16 and he cannot pitch again until Aug. 19 at the earliest. He is not eligible to pitch in the postseason. He is confident that whatever banned supplement he took to trigger an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball will not affect his future performance. Still, he must regain everyone's trust during a pennant race.
Alvarado apologized to his teammates, coaches, and staff members in a brief meeting Tuesday afternoon.
'I can't speak for everybody in the clubhouse, but I know I am far from perfect,' right fielder Nick Castellanos said. 'I don't pretend to be. He came in. He owned his mistake. He took accountability for it. Now, him saying that he didn't know, I'm not here to play Sherlock Holmes. All I know is that I'm happy he's in our clubhouse. I'm happy he's on our team. And he can help us win.'
Following the team photo, Alvarado spoke to reporters in the dugout. The club did not utilize its typical interpreter, Diego D'Aniello. Assistant general manager Jorge Velandia instead translated Alvarado's answers. The Athletic reviewed the original recording and will use Alvarado's answers in Spanish for this story.
'It was a difficult situation,' Alvarado said in Spanish. 'But like I've said before, I didn't kill anyone. We're human and I made an error. I take responsibility, and it's in the past. … I'm here to help the team continue to win games.'
When the league suspended Alvarado in May, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Alvarado told the team he was taking a supplement for weight loss. He did not go through the proper protocol to see if it was approved.
'I took a drug that I didn't think was contaminated,' Alvarado said in Spanish.
Alvarado had gained almost 2 mph on his average sinker velocity this season compared to last. He came to spring training in better shape. He does not believe any of this was aided by the banned supplement he took.
Advertisement
'It was simply to lose weight,' Alvarado said in Spanish. 'It wasn't so I can increase my velocity.'
The Phillies have missed Alvarado, who had a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings before his suspension and served as the de facto closer. He will not return to that role; the Phillies have since acquired Jhoan Duran, who will have the ninth inning for years to come. It's a murky situation for Phillies manager Rob Thomson, who could be inclined to insert Alvarado into huge situations in August and September while knowing he won't have him in October.
'I asked for their forgiveness,' Alvarado said in Spanish. 'The truth is I'm super happy to be back here. I'm happy with how my teammates and staff welcomed me.'
But the Phillies are incentivized to make Alvarado feel welcomed. They hold a $9 million club option on the lefty for 2026. He could pitch well enough in the season's final six weeks for the Phillies to exercise that option. Or they could use the suspension as a way to renegotiate, perhaps touting their goodwill in this situation as something that should be repaid.
Alvarado spent most of his months away from the club in Venezuela. He continued to throw; he even threw to hitters in some sessions. On Tuesday, he threw a bullpen session at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies measured his velocity. Team officials said it was quite good. 'It looks like he's been throwing,' Thomson said. Alvarado is expected to face Alec Bohm, who is rehabbing a cracked rib, in a live batting practice this week. The team declined to share its plan for Alvarado, who can pitch in minor-league games before being activated.
'I didn't stop working,' Alvarado said in Spanish. 'That's why I feel good.'
His teammates were frustrated that Alvarado was careless. Ultimately, whatever purpose Alvarado intended did not matter. He consumed a banned substance.
Advertisement
'I don't know the full story, but I mean, mistakes happen,' lefty reliever Matt Strahm said. 'I don't know. I wouldn't want to be judged for one decision I made.'
Strahm reached out to Alvarado soon after the news broke. Alvarado did not respond. They spoke this week.
'You don't know what someone's going through,' Strahm said. 'I mean, I know Alvy on a more personal level, so I understand his emotions a little more. I could imagine he was scared and all the above. I tried to put myself in his shoes and I can't come up with how I would have acted, or how I would've handled it. So, for me to judge him on how he did or whatever, it feels wrong. I mean, we talked. It is what it is. I know that's so cliché to say, but it really is.'
Alvarado said he's watched many of the Phillies' games during his absence. It was hard, he said, but he thought it was important.
And, soon, the Phillies will need him to contribute again.
'I want to apologize to the team, staff and city of Philadelphia that have changed my life,' Alvarado said in Spanish. 'It'll be hard not being able to compete and help my team (in October). … The most important thing is I am back here to help the team keep winning games. … It's an important year, and I think the Phillies will be the champs this year.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
a minute ago
- Newsweek
FanDuel Promo Code: Get $150 MLB, WNBA, NFL Betting Bonus
Thanks to the FanDuel promo code, new users can create a new account and get a chance to win $150 in bonus bets for tonight's MLB games. Thanks to the FanDuel promo code, new users can create a new account and get a chance to win $150 in bonus bets for tonight's MLB games. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Redeem the latest FanDuel promo code offer to get a $150 bonus bet offer for tonight's MLB games and more. Place a winning $5 bet on any game happening tonight to get your bonus bets credited to your account. Click here to sign up and secure this offer. You can place your initial $5 bet on any market available across FanDuel Sportsbook. Tonight's MLB games feature matchups like Royals-Red Sox and Padres-Diamondbacks. The WNBA brings one betting option with the Aces-Valkyries game. Now is a good time to start your account with FanDuel Sportsbook. If you are able to secure the $150 in bonus bets, you will be able to use them to bet on more MLB and WNBA games this weekend along with the NFL Preseason games. After last week's Chargers-Lions Hall of Fame Game, every other team will play their first preseason game in the coming days. This week's games start with Colts-Ravens, Bengals-Eagles and Raiders-Seahawks on Thursday. Sign up now to maximize your chances at the $150 in bonus bets and take advantage of in-app promos. Activate FanDuel Promo Code Offer As noted above, you must win your initial $5 bet to get the $150 in bonus bets. With this in mind, you should place your $5 bet on something that you believe has a good chance of settling as a win. If you to bet on one of the MLB games, you might want to bet on a prop market. Predicting the winner of a single MLB game is hard, so a moneyline bet might not be the right way to go. You could bet on someone like Roman Anthony or Ketel Marte to record a hit tonight. For tonight's Aces-Valkyries game, you could use the same strategy. Betting on someone like A'ja Wilson to score a certain number of points might be a good bet to target. Once you find a bet you are comfortable, place it and wait for it to settle to see if you win the $150 in bonus bets. How To Sign Up With FanDuel Promo Code Click here to secure this offer from FanDuel Sportsbook. You will be asked to provide basic personal information, like your name, date of birth, mailing address, etc. to create your account. Use a secure payment method, like a credit card, to make an initial deposit to your new account. This will cover your $5 bet. If you win the $150 in bonus bets, you will have seven days to use them before they expire. FanDuel Parlay Hub Opportunities One of the best ways to use the FanDuel Sportsbook app is to click the "parlay hub" icon at the top of the home page. You will find popular parlay markets sorted by the specific sport. Let's take a look at a few examples for MLB games, tonight's Aces-Valkyries game and the NFL Preseason games: Phillies, Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mariners all win (+596) Aces -1.5 4th quarter, Aces -0.5 3rd quarter, Aces -0.5 2nd quarter, Aces -1.5 1st quarter (+1397) Over points + rebounds + assists: A'ja Wilson 34.5, Jackie Young 24.5, Chelsea Gray over 17.5, Tiffany Hayes 19.5, Veronica Burton 20.5, Jewell Loyd 16.5 (+3958) Ravens, Eagles, Lions, Seahawks all win (+4290) Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
New York Times
a minute ago
- New York Times
Phillies takeaways: Pitching roles in flux with Wheeler's sore shoulder, Romano's struggles
PHILADELPHIA — Zack Wheeler played catch for a few minutes Wednesday morning and did not want to talk about it afterward. He's pitched through some soreness for the better part of three weeks, according to team sources, but none of it had escalated above the normal wear-and-tear of a six-month season. Advertisement Then, in the days following a 10-strikeout, no-walk performance in which Wheeler lobbied for an extra inning, the ace reported more shoulder soreness than usual. The Phillies sent him for an MRI. 'It's clean,' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. There was enough concern to bump Wheeler's start back two days, but not enough to skip him in the rotation or give him a two-week break on the injured list. At least not yet. Is there an inclination to protect Wheeler even further — either through a six-man rotation or a pause on his season? 'No, because he's fine,' Thomson said. But there is concern whenever a pitcher, especially one of Wheeler's stature, has a shoulder issue. Wheeler was scheduled to pitch Friday; he'll now go Sunday. And Thomson opened the door to Wheeler getting even more time if he needs it. The Phillies can push him another two days without disrupting anyone else. There is a larger question about how the Phillies handle the rotation over the season's final seven weeks. They would love a few chances to provide Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez some extra rest. In previous summers, this would be the time of year when the club considers a six-man rotation. Aaron Nola made another rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's scheduled to pitch again next Tuesday in Buffalo, N.Y., with the IronPigs. He will then join the Phillies in Washington. It puts him on track to return either Aug. 17 or 18. Taijuan Walker authored one of his better starts in two years with six scoreless innings in a win over the Baltimore Orioles. He's been a fine fifth starter. The Phillies have enough fungible relievers to reserve one bullpen spot for constant churn if they were to go to a seven-man bullpen with the six-man rotation. And, come September, they are permitted 14 pitchers. Advertisement Wheeler's health is paramount. He threw a 108-pitch complete game on July 6; soon after, he made a decision not to attend the All-Star Game. Thomson said the complete game affected Wheeler. He has a 4.94 ERA in his last four starts with 34 strikeouts and four walks. His control has been fine. His command has wavered some. He hasn't had the typical zip on his fastball. There will be extra attention on Wheeler whenever he pitches again. Before appearing Wednesday afternoon to inherit a four-run deficit, Jordan Romano had thrown 13 pitches in 11 days. His infrequent usage has raised doubt about where the club's biggest offseason bullpen addition fits. Romano's roster spot could be in jeopardy later this month as the Phillies anticipate adding Nola, David Robertson and José Alvarado to the pitching staff. What is Romano's current role? 'I see him as, you know, sixth inning,' Thomson said. 'I see him as coming in and shutting down an inning with runners on base. He's done a pretty good job getting guys out of the zone.' That sounds much like the role expected of Robertson, who pitched Wednesday in his fifth game at Triple A. Robertson signed a pro-rated contract that will pay him about $5.5 million. He expects to join the Phillies next week. He's thrown harder in recent outings, closer to his typical 93-mph fastball average. 'I physically feel pretty good,' Robertson said this week. 'My results have not been great. … It's just a matter of easing back into it. It feels like spring training for me. I don't really take too much of what happens in the game. Just trying to get better.' He added: 'I'm as close as I can get to being ready.' Alvarado is eligible to return from his suspension Aug. 19, and Thomson expects to use his hard-throwing lefty in lower-leverage situations to begin. But Alvarado should slot at some point with the setup men, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm. Jhoan Duran has the ninth inning. Tanner Banks is a trusted lefty for middle relief; Robertson figures to be the first righty for the middle innings. Advertisement That's six 'leverage' relievers, leaving two spots for Romano, Max Lazar, Joe Ross and Walker, if he's moved to a long reliever role. The Phillies have demonstrated more trust in Lazar than Romano over the last two weeks. Whether the Phillies retain Romano or not, his signing was a miss. Results aside, his stuff never came close to bouncing back like the Phillies expected. Romano's 95.5 mph average fastball velocity is his lowest since 2019 — and a full 1 mph lower than last season when he pitched with arm trouble. When possible, in recent games, Thomson has turned to Edmundo Sosa over Otto Kemp at third base. The manager said it's to prioritize defense. On the infield, that has grown into a team strength this season. 'I don't want to jinx it,' Bryson Stott said. 'I'm just going to say there's been a lot of cool-looking plays recently.' The second baseman has struggled at the plate, but he's probably been the club's best and most consistent defender all season. Trea Turner has made real strides in his fielding; he would grade as one of the better shortstops in the National League by advanced and traditional measurements. Alec Bohm, who will begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend for a cracked rib, has made himself into a close-to-average defender. Bryce Harper has been steady at first base. The play from the entire infield has been crisp, especially in the last month. It is needed because Phillies starters have the second-highest groundball rate in baseball. 'It's really improved,' Thomson said. 'And it's improved every year for the last three years, really. And that's (infield coach) Bobby (Dickerson). And it's the work ethic of the players. They really pay attention. Bobby is very detailed in what he does. And they work hard at it.' During the homestand, Stott made a few ranging plays that required bounce throws. He made a key one in the eighth inning Sunday night's win to protect a one-run lead. Another, in Tuesday's win, Thomson called 'unbelievable' just because of the way Stott made the throw. Stott's .654 OPS ranked 144th among 155 qualified hitters entering Wednesday's games. It's been a major disappointment. He will not hide from that. He said it's easier to prevent those struggles from seeping into his defense when he thinks about in a certain way. 'I can control every part of defense,' Stott said. 'Hitting is all luck, I think. I'll get angry now and again, but you take your best swing, you hit it on the barrel, and then once you decide to swing at said pitch, it's luck. Advertisement 'But on defense, I have control over pretty much everything, unless it hits the base. Just knowing that I can control it, it makes it a lot easier to separate the two and make sure that you don't take one side into the other side.' — The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes contributed to this story. (Photo of Wheeler: Al Bello / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
New York Times
a minute ago
- New York Times
Adams Is Again Denied Matching Funds as Cuomo Lobbies Executives
Mayor Eric Adams of New York was again denied public matching funds for his re-election campaign on Wednesday, a major setback as he competes against former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to emerge as the strongest challenger to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee. The city's Campaign Finance Board said that Mr. Adams was not eligible for public funds because his campaign had provided 'incomplete and misleading' information, and the board believed that the campaign had violated the law. The board did not provide details about its findings, but said the decision was based on 'all of the available evidence, including but not limited to its own independent investigation.' Todd Shapiro, a spokesman for Mr. Adams's campaign, called the decision 'vague and unsubstantiated' as well as 'deeply concerning and potentially damaging.' 'We strongly disagree with the Campaign Finance Board's decision and reject both the tone and substance of its statement,' Mr. Shapiro said. The board denied Mr. Adams's request for public funds after he was indicted on federal corruption charges late last year. That decision prevented him from receiving millions of dollars under the city's program, which gives qualifying candidates an eight-for-one match of small-dollar donations. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
