Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado, who’s nearing completion of his 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s drug coverage, apologized to his teammates and followers Tuesday on Instagram.
“I’m absolutely conscious that utilizing prohibited substances is incorrect and I might by no means intend to take action as a result of I’ve at all times had nice respect for the sport, my group, my teammates and the followers, all of whom I wish to provide my honest apologies,” Alvarado posted.
“I made a mistake and subsequently, I’ve confronted the implications set forth by MLB. Going ahead, my focus is on working laborious to assist the crew win.”
The hard-throwing left-hander examined constructive for exogenous testosterone, which is a performance-enhancing substance, and was suspended on Could 18. Alvarado can start a minor league task earlier than he is eligible to return Aug. 19, however he’s ineligible to pitch within the postseason for the Phillies, who lead the Nationwide League Central by 1 1/2 video games getting into Tuesday’s motion.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has mentioned the constructive check was brought on by a weight-loss drug Alvarado took through the offseason.
“There’s at all times a lesson to be realized in each mistake,” Alvarado wrote Tuesday.
Alvarado, who returned to Residents Financial institution Park on Tuesday, is 4-1 with seven saves and a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances this season. He has 25 strikeouts and 4 walks in 20 innings pitched.
Philadelphia acquired closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins on the commerce deadline.
“I believe they’ve achieved fairly nicely with out him, to inform you the reality,” supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned of the Phillies’ bullpen. “We have received a whole lot of video games with out him. However [Alvarado] definitely goes to deliver extra vitality, and he’ll deliver one other actually, actually good arm.”
Because of the suspension, Alvarado will lose $4.5 million, half his $9 million wage this 12 months, as a part of a $22 million, three-year contract he signed in 2023. Philadelphia has a $9 million choice on Alvarado for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout.
The Phillies made a roster transfer Tuesday, reinstating reliever Joe Ross from the injured listing and optioning Seth Johnson to Triple-A.
The Related Press contributed to this report.