Apr 15, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado (46) reacts after recording a strikeout against the San Francisco Giants in the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park. All players wore #42 for Jackie Robinson Day. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
As soon as you walk into the Phillies clubhouse, the first locker to the left has belonged to Jose Alvarado for the past four seasons.
When he was suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 games on May 18, the locker was cleared and sat empty for awhile.
Other pitchers used it temporarily - Mick Abel was there for a bit while he was starting for the big club. One of the times Alan Rangel was here, he took up temporary residence there.
Brett de Geus (we hardly knew ya), was up for a cup of coffee, and he, too, sat there.
But, there was a good amount of time when the locker sat empty. A constant reminder to anyone who walked in that the Phillies best pre-deadline relief pitcher was no longer there because of a careless decision.
Monday's game against the Seattle Mariners is the 80th and final game of Alvarado's suspension - and it was also the day the locker was full again, with all of Alvarado's gear. His nameplate back adorning the stall.
And there was Alvarado walking around the clubhouse, his usual jovial self, laughing with Ranger Suarez, among others.
Alvarado had been ramping up for the past two weeks in Triple-A. He appeared in five games. In those five innings he didn't allow a run. He wasn't perfect - he gave up four hits and had four walks to go along with four strikeouts - but from all accounts, his stuff was still good.
Jose Alvarado allows a hit and strikes out a pair in his return to the mound. He topped out at 98.6 mph and was more sharp than I expected. Good return for Alvarado pic.twitter.com/TcORXNpCpc
"(It's) exactly the same," said manager Rob Thomson. "He touched 100 on his rehab assignments. He looks good."
So good, in fact, that he doesn't need any more time in Triple-A. Thomson said Alvarado will be activated on Tuesday.
Thomson said they will still ease him in and get him into a game in a lower leverage spot until he's fully comfortable pitching to Big League hitters again, but the plan is to use Alvarado, and use him a lot for the rest of the regular season.
Because of the suspension for using an illegal drug that Alvardo insisted was to help him with weight loss, he won't be eligible for the postseason, but he can be of value for the Phillies as they not only try to win the NL East, but also to hold off the Los Angeles Dodgers and/or San Diego Padres to get a first round bye in the playoffs.
Unpopular opinion maybe, but I absolutely cannot wait for José Alvarado to return to the mound. An Alvy/Durántula one-two punch would feel like this: #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/aesfFWTEWX
The Phillies will have to send someone out on Tuesday to reinstate Alvarado, but that's likely going to be Nolan Hoffman.
Who?
Hoffman, 27, was recalled on Monday to replace Max Lazar, who was sent back to Triple-A. Lazar had pitched multiple innings over the weekend in Washington, and the Phillies needed an arm for Monday, so Hoffman got the call.
Since he was acquired from Texas on June 18 in a trade for cash, Hoffman has pitched well for the IronPigs. He has a 3.32 ERA in 19 innings and although he has a high walk rate (11 walks), in the past two weeks has cut that down considerably and has been throwing more strikes. He has 27 strikeouts.
A submariner, Hoffman is intriguing for the Phillies, but unless he gets into the game Monday, he isn't here for long.
In fact, unlike Alvarado, he wasn't even given a nameplate for his locker.
Lazar was in the clubhouse pre-game as well. He grabbed his gear and flung it over his shoulder as he made his rounds to say goodbye to his teammates. Suarez gave him a hug and said, "Maybe I'll see you in two weeks," when Lazar can be recalled as a September 1 call-up when rosters expand.
On his way out of the clubhouse, Lazar ran into Alvarado. They hugged as well. Alvarado said something to him that was inaudible, and then Lazar was gone.
Alvarado sauntered back to his locker and took a seat. He was home. Now, it's time for him to play his part in helping the team until the clock prematurely runs out on his season.
