The Philadelphia Phillies are in the thick of their push for a second straight division crown, holding a five-game cushion over the New York Mets in the NL East.
That journey, however, just got more complicated. The club will be without ace Zack Wheeler for the foreseeable future after he underwent a procedure Monday to remove blood clots in his right arm, alarmingly close to his throwing shoulder.
Losing Wheeler is a significant blow. He had thrown 149.2 innings across 24 starts, consistently pitching deeper into games than anyone else on the staff. Now, with their most reliable workhorse sidelined, the Phillies’ bullpen will have to shoulder more innings and pressure down the stretch.
The relief corps was already stretched thin. Back in May, setup man José Alvarado received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for a banned substance, leaving Philadelphia without one of its most trusted late-inning arms.
Jose Alvarado’s Return Adds Depth to Bullpen
José Alvarado’s suspension means he won’t be available for the postseason, but the left-handed reliever is permitted to come back before the regular season ends.
Prior to Monday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners, manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Alvarado will rejoin the big-league roster on Tuesday, the first day he’s eligible.
“José Alvarado will be activated tomorrow when he’s eligible to return,” Thomson told reporters, as noted by Ty Daubert of Phillies Nation.
Alvarado Will Help Phillies Bullpen During NL East Push
The news of José Alvarado’s return carries real weight for the Phillies’ stretch run. His presence gives the bullpen a proven left-handed weapon who can step into critical situations and soak up important innings. That kind of stability is invaluable as the club chases another division crown. Just as importantly, Alvarado’s availability should ease the burden on other trusted relievers such as Jhoan Duran and Matt Strahm, who have both been leaned on heavily during his absence. With Alvarado back, the bullpen can distribute its workload more evenly and, ideally, keep everyone fresher for the final weeks of the season.
Before his suspension, Alvarado had quietly been one of Philadelphia’s most reliable relief arms in 2025. Across 20 innings of work, he compiled a 4–1 record and a sharp 2.70 ERA, numbers that speak to his ability to control games in high-pressure spots. He also managed to lock down seven saves, showing manager Rob Thomson could trust him not just as a setup man but as a closer when needed. Perhaps most impressive was his strikeout rate 25 punchouts in those 20 innings evidence of the overpowering stuff that makes him so difficult for hitters to square up.
For a Phillies team trying to steady itself after losing ace Zack Wheeler, getting Alvarado back in the fold isn’t just a routine roster move; it’s a significant reinforcement at the exact moment they need it most.