Alvarado (neck) has been playing catch, but the Phillies are skeptical that he'll be able to avoid the injured list to start the season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Alvarado's neck issue may not be a long-term problem, but the fact that he's still merely playing catch with Opening Day just 10 days away suggests a trip to the injured list is likely. Once healthy, he'll compete with Brad Hand to be the top lefty in the Philadelphia bullpen, a role that could come with at least the occasional save.