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Alvarado picked up a hold Sunday against the Mets, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out two in a scoreless seventh inning.
After serving as Philadelphia's closer at one point a year ago, the hard-throwing southpaw has reverted back to a setup role for closer Jhoan Duran in 2026. Through 30 innings, Alvarado has 5.70 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB with nine holds while also registering at least one strikeout in 10 straight outings.
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Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Picks up first save Wednesday
Rotowire
Alvarado earned the save Wednesday against the Padres, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
With Jhoan Duran pitching in four of the previous five days, Alvarado was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning. The left-hander worked around a one-out single by Xander Bogaerts and closed out the game for his first save of the season. It marked Alvarado's first appearance since May 20 after he had allowed runs in three of his previous four outings. The reliever now owns a 5.79 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB to go along with seven holds across 18.2 innings.
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Scoreless outing in return
Rotowire
Alvarado (back) allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning Thursday against the Cubs. He struck out one.
The hard-throwing left-hander exited Tuesday's meeting with the Cubs due to mid-back spasms, but he needed just one day off to recover and get back on the mound. Although Alvarado has a pitiful 8.64 ERA, 2.16 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through 8.1 innings, his usage in the ninth frame of a 7-7 game suggests he's right in the mix for save opportunities for at least the next week of action while Jhoan Duran (oblique) is on the 15-day injured list.
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Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Exits with back spasms
Rotowire
Alvarado was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cubs with mid-back spasms, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
Alvarado gave up one earned run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning before his back forced him to come out of the game. It's unknown if he will have to spend time on the IL, though the Phillies could sit him down for a few days as a precaution, regardless of the severity of his injury.
The Phillies placed Duran on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left oblique strain, retroactive to Wednesday.
Duran has been dominant as the Phillies' closer to begin the year, posting a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through 6.2 innings while tallying five saves. However, he hasn't pitched in a week due to his oblique injury and will now remain sidelined until at least April 30. Brad Keller and Jose Alvarado are the leading candidates to pick up saves while Duran is out, and Seth Johnson will come up from Triple-A to round out the bullpen.
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Can't shake off rough start Sunday
Rotowire
Alvarado (0-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Sunday against Arizona, giving up two runs on two hits and no walks in one-third of an inning.
Brought on to safeguard a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning, Alvarado recorded just one out on a bunt attempt by Geraldo Perdomo. After taking over as Philadelphia's closer at one point a year ago, the hard-throwing left-hander has struggled mightily in a setup role so far in 2026. Though he does have three holds, Alvarado has permitted eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits and three walks over his first five innings (eight appearances).
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Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Looks healthy to begin spring
Rotowire
Alvarado (forearm) was seen throwing a bullpen session Wednesday during the Phillies' first workout of spring training, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Alvarado's ability to complete a side session would seem to suggest that he's made a full recovery from the left forearm strain that landed him on the injured list Sept. 12. The southpaw served an 80-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs to begin last season, but he was one of manager Rob Thomson's more trusted bullpen arms when available, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB in 26 innings. After having his $9 million club option for 2026 picked up over the winter, Alvarado should slot in as one of the top setup men in front of closer Jhoan Duran.
The Phillies exercised Alvarado's (forearm) club option Wednesday.
As expected, the Phillies have opted to pick up the $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for the 2026 season. He ended the 2025 campaign on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain, and he missed 80 games earlier in the season due to a PED suspension. Across the 28 appearances he made in 2025, Alvarado posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and seven saves over 26 innings. He'll have the offseason to heal from his injury and will aim to be available for the start of spring training.
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Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Expected back with Phillies in 2026
Rotowire
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday he would be "surprised" if Alvarado (forearm) is not back next season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The Phillies have a $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for 2026, and while Dombrowski did not confirm the option would be exercised, it seems that is the most likely scenario. Alvarado served an 80-game PED suspension and also missed time late in the year with a forearm injury, resulting in him appearing in only 28 games. The lefty remained effective when on the bump, posting a 3.81 ERA and 32:7 K:BB over 26 innings. It's not clear whether the forearm issue will affect Alvarado's offseason throwing, but Dombrowski did not mention any health concerns with the reliever moving forward.
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