Jose Alvarado Issues Apology as He Prepares for Return from Suspension

Jose Alvarado took to social media Tuesday, expressing regret to the Philadelphia Phillies and their supporters as he approaches the conclusion of an 80-game suspension due to a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.

In his Instagram message, Alvarado emphasized that he never intended to consume a banned substance, acknowledging, "I am fully aware that using prohibited substances is wrong." He added, "I made a mistake and therefore, I have faced the consequences set forth by MLB. Going forward, my focus is on working hard to help the team win."

The left-handed reliever received his suspension on May 18 after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, a substance prohibited by Major League Baseball. According to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, the positive result stemmed from a weight loss drug Alvarado used during the offseason. Alvarado accepted the suspension without contest.

"It's not something he did knowingly," Dombrowski stated in May, reflecting on his conversations with Alvarado. "I believe that, the way he talked to me."

Due to the suspension, Alvarado will miss the postseason but is eligible to return on August 19 when the Phillies face the Seattle Mariners. Prior to his return, MLB regulations permit him to participate in a minor-league rehab assignment. He made his first appearance back at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday since the suspension.

"There is always a lesson to be learned in every mistake," he reiterated in his social media post.

The bullpen Alvarado is rejoining has undergone changes since his last outing. At the time of his suspension, he was performing as the Phillies' top high-leverage reliever, boasting a 2.70 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 20 innings. His sinker averaged an impressive 99.3 mph, an increase from 97.8 mph in the previous season.

In a strategic move, the Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins just before last week's trade deadline, solidifying their closer position. Upon his return, Alvarado will join a revamped bullpen featuring Duran as the closer and veteran David Robertson, who signed with the team last month and is also working his way back from injury.

Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm have stepped up as the primary setup relievers for the team.

"What it does is it moves everybody up an inning, that's all," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson on Monday. "You still have Kerkering and Strahm as your two main setup guys and then you have a combination of [Max] Lazar and [Tanner] Banks and [Jordan] Romano and those guys in front of them. It just makes the bullpen a little lengthier. It gives us more depth."

As Alvarado prepares for his return, uncertainty looms regarding his performance level. If he can regain his previous form, he will provide another valuable arm for the Phillies as they aim for their fourth consecutive postseason appearance. Currently, they hold a 1.5-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East standings.

"It's been a long 80 days without him," Thomson remarked. "Not only is he talented, but he brings so much energy to the field and the clubhouse. It's just really good to have him around. I think he helps, but I think they've done pretty well without him, to tell you the truth. We've won a lot of games without him, but he's certainly going to bring more energy and he's going to bring another really, really good arm."

Alvarado's full statement was shared on social media Tuesday.