The Philadelphia Phillies have a problem they didn’t expect, and it’s a big one. On May 19, Major League Baseball announced that left-handed reliever José Alvarado has been suspended 80 games without pay for testing positive for exogenous testosterone, a banned performance-enhancing drug. The suspension takes effect immediately, and even more importantly for the Phillies, Alvarado is now ineligible to pitch in the postseason. That changes everything for a team that is not only leading the NL East with a 29-18 record but also holding the best record in the entire National League.
Before the suspension, Alvarado was one of the team’s most dependable relievers. He had pitched in 20 games, which tied Matt Strahm for the most on the team, and had a record of 4-1. He converted all seven of his save opportunities and held a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 25 batters and walked only four across 20 innings. His performance was crucial for a bullpen that, even with him, ranked just 21st in Major League Baseball with a 4.48 ERA. With him gone, the bullpen becomes an even more pressing concern.
To make matters worse, this loss comes early enough in the season to be disruptive but late enough that the market for top-tier replacements hasn’t fully opened yet. While the MLB Trade Deadline is still more than two months away, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is already making calls.
In fact, even before Alvarado’s suspension became public, the Phillies had reached out to free agent David Robertson. Although no serious talks took place, the interest in the 40-year-old right-hander is real. Robertson is a familiar face, having pitched for the Phillies in 2019 and again in 2022.
Last season with the Texas Rangers, he posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out 99 batters over 72 innings. Robertson is known for his postseason experience and ability to pitch in any late-inning role. However, reports earlier this year indicated he was asking for $10 million—a figure teams weren’t willing to meet during the offseason. It’s unclear if he’s now willing to take less to join a contender like Philadelphia.
In the meantime, the Phillies are exploring every possible path, which includes signing Lucas Sims to a minor league contract. Sims, a former Atlanta Braves prospect, has since pitched for the Reds, Red Sox, and Nationals. His career has been inconsistent, with only three productive seasons, but the Phillies are hoping he can rediscover that form and contribute. Still, this is more of a depth move than a solution.
Looking ahead, several relievers could be trade targets if their teams are willing to deal early. One name to watch is Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins. So far in 2025, Bender has made 19 appearances, owns a 1.89 ERA, and is earning $1.42 million. He also comes with two more years of team control after this season. Importantly, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has shown he’s willing to trade key players early, as he did last May when he dealt Luis Arraez.
Another option is Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has a 1.96 ERA and four saves in 19 games and is earning $1.4 million this season. Like Bender, he has two years of arbitration eligibility left before free agency. Bryan Baker of the Baltimore Orioles is also drawing attention. He has a 2.37 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 19 innings and three years of team control remaining. His numbers suggest he could be a good value for a team looking to buy low and potentially benefit from a breakout.
Then there’s Kenley Jansen of the Los Angeles Angels. The 36-year-old is making $10 million on a one-year deal and is still one of the more reliable closers in baseball. However, the Angels are just 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, making it unlikely they’ll sell this early. A similar situation applies to Cam Booser of the White Sox. His ERA is a shaky 4.41, but he ranks in the top 20 percent of MLB pitchers in fastball velocity (averaging 96 mph), expected batting average (.196), and whiff rate (31.2 percent). Booser doesn’t look like an obvious upgrade on the surface, but those underlying numbers make him an intriguing possibility.
Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies might be the most interesting under-the-radar name. In 18 appearances this season, Bird has a 1.98 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. He’s making just $770,000 and will be arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. One issue, though, is his history with Phillies star Bryce Harper. In 2023, Bird and Harper were involved in a benches-clearing incident, which could affect how the Phillies approach him.
If the Phillies want a more proven option, David Bednar of the Pirates stands out. He’s a two-time All-Star and, after a rough start, has allowed just two runs in his last 12 appearances while striking out 18 and walking only one in 11 2/3 innings. He’s making $5.9 million this year and will still be under team control through 2026. Bednar is arguably the best possible addition for a team that needs a high-leverage reliever now and in the playoffs.
While exploring outside options, Dombrowski is also looking within the organization. He has pointed out that the Phillies have “an abundance of starters,” which means they could shift one or two into bullpen roles. In reality, No. 12 prospect Seth Johnson has already been moved from starter to reliever. No. 8 prospect Mick Abel, who recently made an impressive MLB debut against Paul Skenes and the Pirates, could also be used in relief later this year, depending on how the rotation shapes up.
Taijuan Walker is already being tested in that role. He’s made two three-inning relief appearances in May, and the early signs are promising. When starting this season, Walker made six starts and threw 28 1/3 innings. He had a 17.6 percent strikeout rate, a 10.4 percent walk rate, and held batters to a .227 average. In relief, though, he’s been better across the board: a 37.5 percent strikeout rate, a 4.2 percent walk rate, and just a .182 average against. His velocity has also ticked up, making him a stronger option out of the bullpen.
As of now, Jordan Romano is expected to serve as the closer. The Phillies signed Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million deal before the season, and while he started poorly, posting a 13.50 ERA in his first 11 games, he has bounced back. Since April 27, Romano has not allowed a run in eight straight outings.
Even if Romano holds the closer role, the Phillies still need more arms. Alvarado’s suspension created a significant hole in a bullpen that already needed work. With $4.5 million in salary savings from the suspension, the Phillies now have some financial room to make additions. And given that this team is built to win now, it’s clear they won’t sit still.
With more than two months until the trade deadline, Dombrowski has time. But make no mistake—this situation is urgent. The Phillies are a World Series contender, and they can’t afford to waste a season like this because of one player’s mistake.
