JOSÉ ALVARADO NEWS

Aaron Judge, Juan Soto headline Ben Verlander's team of the week

Some of the game's top stars put on strong performances to land spots on Ben Verlander's latest team of the week.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Nails down save No. 10 Alvarado struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Mets.

Impact The lefty fired 11 of his 14 pitches for strikes and topped out at 98.3 mph in another impressive performance. Alvarado appears to have supplanted Craig Kimbrel in the pecking order for saves in the Phillies' bullpen -- he has three saves since Kimbrel recorded his last one Sept. 11, with the right-hander blowing his most recent opportunity Friday. Since returning from elbow inflammation in late August, Alvarado has a 2.70 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 13.1 innings with four saves and five holds over 14 appearances.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs ninth save Alvarado picked up the save Thursday against the Mets. He allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Impact Alvarado worked around Brandon Nimmo's one-out double, logging a pair of strikeouts while improving to 9-for-11 in save chances. The 28-year-old Alvarado continues to split closing duties with Craig Kimbrel in Philadelphia. The left-hander's ERA is down to 1.88 with a 1.25 WHIP with 59 strikeouts across 38.1 innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures save in sketchy outing Alvarado yielded a run on two hits and two walks in one inning Friday. He struck out one and earned a save against the Cardinals.

Impact Alvarado coughed up an RBI single to Tommy Edman with two outs in the ninth inning but struck out Lars Nootbaar with the bases jammed to close out the 5-4 victory. Alvarado has allowed two earned runs on five hits and five walks over his last five frames, pushing his season ERA to 1.98 through 36.1 innings. He picked up his first save since Sep. 4 and has now converted eight of his 10 chances.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches save Monday Alvarado earned a save against the Padres on Monday, issuing two walks and striking out two batters over a hitless and scoreless inning.

Impact The Phillies built a big early lead before the Padres stormed back in the sixth and seventh frames. In the eighth, usual closer Craig Kimbrel was brought in to face the top of San Diego's order and restored order with a scoreless frame. Alvarado followed in the ninth and quickly put himself in trouble with two straight walks before righting the ship and retiring the next three batters he faced, two by strikeout. The save was Alvarado's seventh of the season but his first since he returned from a lengthy stay on the injured list Aug. 22. Kimbrel has emerged as a steady ninth-inning option for Philadelphia and should maintain that role most days moving forward, though as Monday highlighted, Alvarado could still sneak in a save chance every once in a while.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brought back from IL The Phillies reinstated Alvarado (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Impact Alvarado should slide into a late-inning role for the Phillies while he rejoins the club for the first time since the All-Star break, though he likely won't factor into the equation for saves with Craig Kimbrel having seemingly solidified himself as the team's clear top closing option at this stage. Prior to being activated, the southpaw looked sharp over his two rehab appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, tossing a pair of scoreless innings while striking out three and allowing two baserunners.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies Reliever Starts Injury Rehab Stint Jose Alvarado threw his first game action in more than a month at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

To pitch Tuesday at Triple-A Alvarado (elbow/hand) is expected to pitch Tuesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact He faced live hitters Friday and is ready to get back into game action. Alvarado recently dealt with cramping in both hands in addition to the elbow inflammation that initially landed him on the shelf. Craig Kimbrel has three saves and two blown saves in his last 10 appearances, but he has generally been pretty excellent this season, so Alvarado may not get many save opportunities once he is activated.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Live batting practice delayed Alvarado's (elbow/hand) live batting practice got rained out Thursday, so he will face hitters Friday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Alvarado has been dealing the cramping in both of his hands but had already delayed his rehab start earlier in the week. That was for precautionary concerns while Thursday's delay comes due to weather. According to manager Rob Thomson, Alvarado could begin his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not ready for rehab stint Alvarado (elbow/hand) will throw another bullpen session Thursday rather than beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado has been dealing with cramping in both of his hands, so the Phillies will delay his rehab stint a couple of days to make sure that it doesn't become a lingering issue. He is recovered from the bout of elbow inflammation that initially sent him to the injured list in early July, and this shouldn't be too much of a setback.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing rehab assignment Alvarado (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado has made good progress since landing on the injured list in early July with an elbow issue, and he is nearly ready for the final step in his recovery.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another bullpen session Alvarado (elbow) threw a successful 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Alvarado said after the workout that he will throw one more bullpen session before taking the next step in his recovery. The lefty reliever has been sidelined since early July because of elbow inflammation but should be able to return to the Phillies' bullpen sometime in August.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes mound work Alvarado (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw off the mound again Tuesday in Miami, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Alvarado is continuing his throwing progression as he works his way back from left elbow inflammation, an injury that has kept him on the shelf since July 9. If he responds well to his upcoming bullpen session, Alvarado could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice by the end of the week. He may be tracking toward a return from the 15-day injured list during the second week of August.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Wednesday Alvarado (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Alvarado went on the injured list on July 9 with left elbow inflammation but has felt better since being given a cortisone shot. The reliever missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, but it's unclear at this point whether a similar timetable is expected.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down with elbow inflammation The Phillies placed Alvarado on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow inflammation.

Impact The transaction is retroactive to Friday, meaning that in addition to Sunday's series finale in Miami, Alvarado will miss at least the Phillies' first two series coming out of the All-Star break. Alvarado boasts a tidy 1.38 ERA and has struck out 39 and gathered six saves over 26 innings, but his fantasy value had been trending down since he returned in early June from a stint on the IL, also the result of an inflamed elbow. In the month since Alvarado returned to the Phillies' 26-man active roster, Craig Kimbrel has re-established himself as the unquestioned top option for saves out of the bullpen.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first save since IL Alvarado picked up the save Wednesday against Arizona, allowing one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning. He did not allow a hit.

Impact Alvarado made his third appearance since being reinstated from the injured list last Friday, but Wednesday's outing was his first save chance since May 3. Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth, but the two figure to split save opportunities moving forward now that they're both healthy. Kimbrel is a perfect 9-for-9 as a closer and has an elite 41:13 K:BB across 28 appearances (26 innings) but sports a questionable 4.85 ERA, while Alvarado is 6-for-8 as a closer but boasts better overall numbers (1.04 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 17.1 innings).

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from IL Alvarado (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and called up from Double-A Reading on Friday.

Impact Alvarado will return to the big-league roster after missing just under one month while nursing a left elbow injury. The 28-year-old appeared in two games with Reading, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out a batter over two innings. The left-hander has produced a sparkling 0.63 ERA and 0.63 WHIP with 24 punchouts over 14.1 frames in 14 appearances with the Phillies in 2023 and he'll likely step back into a high-leverage role in the bullpen. In a corresponding move, right-hander Connor Brogdon was optioned to Triple-A on Friday.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To be activated Friday Alvarado (elbow) will be activated from the injured list Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado is again ready to be a high-leverage contributor out of the Phillies' bullpen following a four-week recovery from left elbow inflammation. He had become manager Rob Thomson's primary closer prior to the IL stint and should quickly work his way back toward the top of the saves mix. When healthy this year, Alvarado has delivered a terrific 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and no walks in 14.1 innings.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tracking toward Friday return Alvarado (elbow) will make what is expected to be his final rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Reading, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact As long as Alvarado comes out of that outing with no issues, he will be activated ahead of the Phillies' weekend series against the Dodgers. The left-handed reliever to this point has made one scoreless rehab appearance as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. Alvarado had emerged as manager Rob Thomson's go-to closer before getting hurt and should be thrown right back into that mix once activated, although Craig Kimbrel has pitched well in the role since Alvarado went down.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another rehab outing on tap Alvarado (elbow) is expected to continue his minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Reading before potentially being activated from the 15-day injured list, Scott Laub...

Impact The veteran left-hander made his first rehab outing Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and fired a scoreless inning. Alvarado will require at least one more appearance in the minors, and if all goes well Tuesday he could be back with the Phillies by the end of the week.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Alvarado (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Alvarado is expected to make two appearances on the farm before returning to the Phillies' bullpen around the middle of next week. The 28-year-old left-hander had converted five saves prior to going on the injured list May 10 due to elbow inflammation and should eventually cycle back into a share of the closer role. He boasts a 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and no walks in 14.1 innings for the year.

JUNE 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws live batting practice Alvarado (elbow) threw 13 pitches of live batting practice Wednesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact As long as there are no complications in the aftermath of the workout, Alvarado could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of the week. He had pitched to a stellar 0.63 ERA and 24:0 K:BB across 14.1 innings this year for the Phillies prior to going on the injured list May 10 with left elbow inflammation. He should be in the mix for saves again once he returns to full health.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for live BP on Wednesday Alvarado (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment if Wednesday's workout goes smoothly. The hard-throwing left-hander was sporting a 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and zero walks through 14.1 innings this year for the Phillies when he landed on the injured list May 10 due to elbow inflammation. He had also earned five saves and could eventually challenge Craig Kimbrel for a chunk of the team's ninth-inning opportunities.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE