Jose Alvarado placed on 15-day IL with left forearm strain, out for remainder of season; Walker Buehler takes spot on roster
Apr 9, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jose Alvarado (46) reacts after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
What a strange 2025 it was for Jose Alvarado.
He began the season with a 2.70 ERA through mid-May. He was looking the best he had in his five seasons in Philadelphia.
This was until he was suspended for 80 games after failing a performance-enhancing drug test, which also marked him as ineligible for the postseason.
Now, just about a month after his return, Alvarado’s season is over, as he has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to September 11, with a left forearm strain. He will not need surgery, but he is out for the remainder of the season.
Rob Thomson described Alvarado’s injury as “pretty mild, but enough to put him on the IL. Our plan now is just to get him ready for next year.”
Corresponding to the move, the Phillies selected the contract of Walker Buehler from Lehigh Valley. He makes his Phillies debut Friday night and will wear No. 31. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Matt Manning was DFA’d.
Since his reinstatement from his suspension, which caught him taking exogenous testosterone, Alvarado posted an ERA of 5.00 over six innings and eight appearances. He allowed a base runner in all but one appearance (his first one). Alvarado was 4-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 26 innings pitched over 28 appearances this season.
It does make you think, is this the last we will see of Alvarado in a Phillies uniform?
It is possible.
Alvarado was an elite late-inning reliever for this team for a long time and has always come through huge in the postseason. The club has a $9 million club option for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout.
Not only will this injury play a factor, but the way he looked after his suspension could certainly lead the Phillies in the direction of not bringing back the 30-year-old Venezuelan.
Here is the Phillies’ lineup Friday night against the Royals:
- CF Harrison Bader
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- 1B Bryce Harper
- LF Brandon Marsh
- 3B Otto Kemp
- RF Max Kepler
- SS Edmundo Sosa
- 2B Bryson Stott
- C Rafael Marchan
RHP Walker Buehler
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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