Phillies

Dave Dombrowski, Rob Thomson React to Jose Alvarado’s 80-Game Suspension

By Luke Arcaini

Published: May 18th, 2025 · 12:58 PM EDT

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Jose Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games and is ineligible for the postseason for violating Major League Baseball’s PED policy ahead of today’s series finale vs. the Pirates:

Dave Dombrowski said Jose Alvarado did not appeal the suspension. It was a weight loss drug that caused the failure.

His 80-game suspension starts today. Just a massive blow for the Phillies bullpen.

— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) May 18, 2025

Alvarado was reportedly taking a weight loss reduction, and a test came back positive. The left-handed reliever will not appeal the suspension. Here’s what Dave Dombrowski said ahead of today’s matchup:

I first learned of the acceptance of the suspension this morning. I’ve known some of this has been going on for a while, I guess, uh, probably more since the end of the series in Tampa. As far as the ultimate decision by the player, I learned this morning. It was a while ago. It was 1 test…he decided not to appeal – Dave Dombrowski

The Phillies bullpen has really started to find it’s shape over the last few weeks. Guys like Jordan Romano and Joe Ross are starting to really find their groove. Tanner Banks has had more good outings than bad outings. Every reliever is now going to have to take an even bigger step forward with the loss of their top arm:

It’s disappointing for sure, there’s no doubt about that. To me, I end up treating it like an injury. That’s really what it is, because you have to end up replacing a person. – Dave Dombrowski

Rob Thomson said he spoke to the entire Phillies team this morning around 11:30 AM. The team was “kinda shocked,” but they also know that they still have business to take care of. Losing a clubhouse guy as lively and energetic as Alvarado won’t be easy. But they have to put their head down and move on; it’s their only option.

A Phillies bullpen that was already thin just got a lot thinner. Rob Thomson said he’s “confident” in other guys being able to fill some high leverage roles, but this is a big development in the Phillies eventually going after another big time reliever in the summer before the deadline.

With Alvarado’s suspension, here’s where the Phillies bullpen stands.

• Matt Strahm
• Jordan Romano
• Orion Kerkering
• Joe Ross
• Taijuan Walker (won’t pitch until his start on Wednesday)
• Tanner Banks
• Carlos Hernandez
• Jose Ruiz