José Alvarado has been suspended. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Ross
For the first time since receiving an 80-game suspension on May 18 for a failed performance-enhancing drug test, Phillies' reliever José Alvarado has issued a public statement.
Alvarado said this on Instagram Tuesday:
"May 18 was a very difficult day for me. That day, MLB announced the positive result of a doping test conducted in March 2025.
"I am fully aware that using prohibited substances is wrong and I would never intend to do so because I have always had great respect for the game, my organization, my teammates and the fans, all of whom I want to offer my sincerest apologies.
"I made a mistake and therefore, I have faced the consequences set forth by MLB.
"Going forward, my focus is on working hard to help the team win.
"Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to the Phillies organization, my teammates, my family, my country Venezuela, the city of Philadelphia and the fans who have always supported me, especially the children and young people.
"There is always a lesson to be learned in every mistake.
"I thank God for giving me the strength to overcome this situation. I am glad to be back and ready to support the team."
Phillies pitcher José Alvarado issued a statement on his Instagram regarding his suspension: pic.twitter.com/DEXBa3h0Xg
Alvarado returned to Philadelphia Monday, and is expected to be at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since his suspension was announced Tuesday. This statement comes in advance of him likely meeting with the media that covers the team. If Alvarado answers questions, he will have to explain why he's to be believed that he didn't purposely take a PED, and why he didn't check with the Phillies before taking the drug that ultimately got him flagged.
When MLB announced the suspension, they said that Alvarado tested positive for exogenous testosterone. At that time, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that Alvarado had taken a weight-loss drug that he wasn't aware would lead to the positive test. Alvarado was significantly slimmer in Spring Training than he was a year ago. Still, if it was indeed the weight-loss drug that led to the 80-game suspension, that's not really a good excuse considering if he had just asked the team, they could have told him it contained a banned substance. It also remains possible that Alvarado did intend to take a PED and just got caught.
Either option is unacceptable and has left the Phillies without what was — prior to the trade for Jhoan Duran — their best reliever for 80 games. Alvarado will be eligible to return to the Phillies on Aug. 19, where he will be able to pitch for the remainder of the regular season. But as part of the terms of his suspension, he'll be ineligible for the postseason. There's certainly a debate to be had about whether the postseason ban on top of the 80-game suspension is fair, but ultimately Alvarado put himself in this situation, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
