Phillies pick up option on Alvarado's contract
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PHILADELPHIA -- José Alvarado will be back in the Phillies’ bullpen in 2026.
The team announced on Wednesday night that it exercised Alvarado’s $9 million club option for next season. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski strongly suggested last month that Alvarado, 30, would return.
“I’d be surprised … that Alvarado is not back with us,” he said.
Alvarado went 4-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 28 appearances this year. But, most important, he got suspended in May for 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs. He returned in late August, but he finished the season on the injured list because of a strained left forearm.
Alvarado was ineligible to pitch in the postseason, which was a blow to the bullpen.
Throughout it all, however, Dombrowski maintained his faith in Alvarado. He said multiple times that he thought Alvarado would maintain his velocity and performance without the benefit of PEDs, saying Alvarado took them for weight-loss purposes.
“His health is fine,” Dombrowski said. “He’s already received all the medical attention that he needs to have in preparation for next year, so we feel good about that. I think he’ll be fine. It was a tough spot, as we know, all year -- without going back into that.”
Alvarado’s sinker averaged 99.3 mph from Opening Day through May 16, which was his last appearance before he got suspended.
It averaged 98.3 mph upon his return on Aug. 20 until he landed on the IL.
It only made sense for the Phillies to pick up Alvarado’s option, especially if they believe his PED suspension will not affect future performance. Elite bullpen arms are hard to find, and when Alvarado is right, he is one of the better late-inning relievers in baseball. He had a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances before the suspension, striking out 25 and walking four in 20 innings.
He will join a 2026 bullpen that includes closer Jhoan Duran, left-handers Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks and right-hander Orion Kerkering.