JOSÉ ALVARADO NEWS

Skips bullpen, but no setback Alvarado (elbow) played catch on flat ground but did not throw a bullpen session Saturday as scheduled, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Rob Thomson said Alvarado was hitting 98 mph in a bullpen session earlier this week and probably pushed himself too hard. However, despite the delay to Alvarado's return to mound work, the skipper insists this isn't a setback. With that, it sounds like the lefty still has a chance to advance to live batting practice next week.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen session coming Saturday Alvarado (elbow) will throw another bullpen session Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact If all goes according to plan, Alvarado will move to throwing live batting practice next week during the Phillies' series against the Mets. From there, the 28-year-old closer would likely require a rehab assignment before returning to Philly's bullpen. Alvarado has been on the injured list since May 10 with left elbow inflammation.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On track for bullpen session soon Alvarado (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday if Monday's flat-ground session goes well, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact He'll need an addition bullpen session after that before progressing to facing hitters and eventually going out on a rehab assignment. It's not clear at this point how many rehab appearances Alvarado might require. He's trending in the right direction, but the fireballing reliever still has a ways to go.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes throwing Friday Alvarado (elbow) played catch on flat ground Friday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Alvarado is just throwing from a distance of 75 feet for now and will continue that for a couple of days before then ramping up toward a return to mound work. The lefty reliever has been sidelined since May 10 due to elbow inflammation. He is tracking toward being ready for activation around the end of the month.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Should begin throwing this week Alvarado (elbow) is expected to begin a throwing program in the early part of the week, MLB.com reports.

Impact Alvarado isn't traveling with the Phillies while the team wraps up its six-game road trip with a three-game set in San Francisco to begin the week, but he looks to have received the green light to resume playing catch back in Philadelphia. The left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday due to elbow inflammation and is first eligible to return May 23. Assuming the Phillies' closer endures no setbacks as he initiates his throwing program, he could be on track for activation in close to the minimum 15 days.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MRI comes back clean The MRI on Alvarado's left elbow came back negative, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado is dealing with inflammation which forced him to the injured list earlier Wednesday, but thankfully he does not have any structural damage. He will be shut down for a few days before being re-evaluated. Gelb writes that the Phillies plan to "take it slow" with the reliever, so it seems likely to be longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Craig Kimbrel is the favorite to close for Philadelphia while Alvarado is shelved.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MRI still being reviewed Alvarado underwent an MRI on his ailing left elbow which is being reviewed Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado went on the injured list Wednesday with what the Phillies called left elbow inflammation, but more clarity on his condition is expected to be available soon. Manager Rob Thomson admitted that he's "a little concerned, for sure," about his closer. Alvarado has been arguably the best reliever in baseball this season with a 1.88 ERA and 24:0 K:BB over 14.1 innings. Craig Kimbrel looks like the top candidate to close for the Phillies while Alvarado is away, with perhaps Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm also in the mix.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL Alvarado was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation.

Impact Alvarado was unavailable to pitch Tuesday versus the Blue Jays due to left wrist tightness and that uncomfortability has now reportedly moved into his elbow. Considering the injury is on his pitching arm, it's hard to predict the left-hander's availability moving forward. The move to the IL was made retroactive to Monday (May 8), so if he's able to avoid a prolonged absence, Alvarado would be eligible to return May 23. Craig Kimbrel could handle the lion's share of the ninth inning opportunities while Alvarado is out.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable due to tight wrist Alvarado was unavailable to pitch Tuesday against Toronto because of tightness in his left wrist, Zolecki reports.

Impact Alvarado mentioned that he's "unconcerned" about the injury, and he hopes to pitch during Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays if needed. The left-hander should be considered day-to-day, and even if he doesn't pitch Wednesday this doesn't appear to be a long-term issue.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fifth save of season Alvarado picked up the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He struck out two over a perfect inning.

Impact Alvarado has been one of the best closers in the league to start off the year. The southpaw has allowed just one earned run over 12.1 innings pitched, and his five saves are tied for fifth in MLB. Additionally, the former Ray currently sports a stellar 0.49 WHIP.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominates in save opportunity Alvarado picked up the save in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Astros. He didn't allow a baserunner while striking out two over one inning.

Impact Alvarado has been lights out this season. He struck out two more hitters in the ninth to bring his season total to 24 in just 12.1 innings. The flame throwing lefty leads the Phillies with five saves, all of which have come since April 19.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs fourth save Alvarado picked up the save during Wednesday's 6-5 win over Seattle. He allowed one hit while striking out two over one inning.

Impact Alvarado showed off his strikeout ability once again Wednesday, getting both Jose Caballero and Julio Rodriguez to go down swinging to close out the game. Through 11.1 innings, Alvarado has struck out 22 batters without a walk while only allowing one run. As long as he remains the Phillies closer, expect Alvarado to hold strong fantasy value.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures third save Alvarado picked up the save during Friday's 4-3 win over the Rockies, striking out zero over a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Alvarado entered with a one-run lead and retired Charlie Blackmon, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon in order. The left-hander has put together three consecutive successful save chances after blowing his first opportunity and appears to be separating himself as the top closing option over Seranthony Dominguez and Craig Kimbrel, who've both been relegated to hold situations in their recent appearances.

APRIL 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second save Alvarado picked up the save during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the White Sox, posting a perfect ninth inning with zero strikeouts.

Impact Alvarado entered in the ninth with a three-run lead and proceeded to retire Eloy Jimenez, Yasmani Grandal and Jake Burger in order. It was the second straight save in as many days for the left-hander after he blew his first chance against the Marlins on April 12. The Phillies continue to utilize a bevy on late-inning relievers as closers, with Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez and Craig Kimbrel all getting chances.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down first save Alvarado struck out two in a perfect ninth inning during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, recording his first save of the season in a 7-4 win.

Impact The Phillies' bullpen was outstanding in the matinee, as in turn Gregory Soto, Craig Kimbrel, Seranthony Dominguez and Alvarado each fanned two in a perfect inning of relief. Alvarado has been the best of the high-leverage quartet in the early going though, striking out multiple batters in seven straight appearances and posting a stunning 18:0 K:BB through 7.1 innings to go along with his 1.23 ERA and three holds. No Philadelphia hurler has more than one save yet, but the southpaw appears to be staking a claim to being the team's relief ace, if not its full-time closer.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inks three-year extension Alvarado signed a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension with a $9 million club option for 2026 with the Phillies on Friday.

Impact Alvarado and the Phillies avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.45 million deal last week, but this new contract wipes that out and tacks on two, and possibly three, more years. The buyout for the option is $500,000, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, so Alvarado is guaranteed at least $22 million. The big left-hander had been slated to hit free agency next offseason. Alvarado put up a 3.18 ERA and 81:24 K:BB over 51 innings for Philly in 2022, earning two saves along the way. He'll be in the late-inning mix for them again in 2023.

FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration with Phillies Alvarado agreed to a one-year, $3.45 million contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration.

Impact The two sides met at the midpoint of the figures they exchanged last month, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports. Alvarado was actually optioned to the minors after a rough start for the Phils last season but was dominant after returning with a 1.66 ERA and 64:14 K:BB over 38 innings covering his last 42 appearances.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Column: World Series gem shows how much baseball has changed

For those who gripe about baseball spending far too much time wallowing in its past, the only no-hitters in World Series history prove just how much the game has, indeed, changed

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • Associated Press

2022 World Series: Phillies relievers shut down Astros, justify bold managing

Phillies manager Rob Thomson treated his first World Series game like it was Game 7. His aggressive pitching moves paid off in a Philadelphi...

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Nola nowhere near perfect for Phillies in Houston this time

Aaron Nola was nowhere near perfect for the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston for Game 1 of the World Series

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • Associated Press

2022 World Series: How the Phillies can pull off the upset and beat the Astros

Led by Bryce Harper and a pair of aces, the Phillies have a chance to shock the Astros and the baseball world. Jake Mintz looks at how they...

OCTOBER 26, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Pitching Ninja's Filthiest Pitches: Framber Valdez's curveball dazzles during LCS

Curveballs were all the rage in the LCS, as Rob Friedman was impressed by filthy breaking pitches from Framber Valdez and Zack Wheeler.

OCTOBER 24, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Schwarber HR, Segura, Phillies top Padres 4-2, lead NLCS 2-1

Kyle Schwarber homered and Jean Segura hit a two-run single to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres for a 2-1 lead in the National League Champions...

OCTOBER 22, 2022 • Associated Press

2022 MLB Playoffs: Phillies' steady approach proves their demise in Game 2

The Phillies have gotten this far with Rob Thomson's steady hand, but in Game 2, staying the course was their undoing, Jake Mintz writes.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Records save in Game 1 Alvarado earned the save against the Padres on Tuesday, allowing zero hits and one walk in a scoreless inning during the 2-0 victory.

Impact After getting the first out of the ninth, Alvarado found himself in trouble following a walk and an error, but he managed to shut down Manny Machado and Josh Bell to win Game 1 for the Phillies. The 27-year-old amassed only two saves in the regular season while being used mainly as a middle-relief pitcher, but he was called on in the ninth Tuesday night and got the job done. The closer role has been a revolving door for the Phillies in recent games, so look to see if Alvarado continues as a closer in the NLCS or if he reverts back to a middle-relief role.

OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE