JOSÉ ALVARADO NEWS

Nearing rehab assignment Alvarado (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado has made good progress since landing on the injured list in early July with an elbow issue, and he is nearly ready for the final step in his recovery.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another bullpen session Alvarado (elbow) threw a successful 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Alvarado said after the workout that he will throw one more bullpen session before taking the next step in his recovery. The lefty reliever has been sidelined since early July because of elbow inflammation but should be able to return to the Phillies' bullpen sometime in August.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes mound work Alvarado (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw off the mound again Tuesday in Miami, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Alvarado is continuing his throwing progression as he works his way back from left elbow inflammation, an injury that has kept him on the shelf since July 9. If he responds well to his upcoming bullpen session, Alvarado could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice by the end of the week. He may be tracking toward a return from the 15-day injured list during the second week of August.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Wednesday Alvarado (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Alvarado went on the injured list on July 9 with left elbow inflammation but has felt better since being given a cortisone shot. The reliever missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, but it's unclear at this point whether a similar timetable is expected.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down with elbow inflammation The Phillies placed Alvarado on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow inflammation.

Impact The transaction is retroactive to Friday, meaning that in addition to Sunday's series finale in Miami, Alvarado will miss at least the Phillies' first two series coming out of the All-Star break. Alvarado boasts a tidy 1.38 ERA and has struck out 39 and gathered six saves over 26 innings, but his fantasy value had been trending down since he returned in early June from a stint on the IL, also the result of an inflamed elbow. In the month since Alvarado returned to the Phillies' 26-man active roster, Craig Kimbrel has re-established himself as the unquestioned top option for saves out of the bullpen.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first save since IL Alvarado picked up the save Wednesday against Arizona, allowing one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning. He did not allow a hit.

Impact Alvarado made his third appearance since being reinstated from the injured list last Friday, but Wednesday's outing was his first save chance since May 3. Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth, but the two figure to split save opportunities moving forward now that they're both healthy. Kimbrel is a perfect 9-for-9 as a closer and has an elite 41:13 K:BB across 28 appearances (26 innings) but sports a questionable 4.85 ERA, while Alvarado is 6-for-8 as a closer but boasts better overall numbers (1.04 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 17.1 innings).

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from IL Alvarado (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and called up from Double-A Reading on Friday.

Impact Alvarado will return to the big-league roster after missing just under one month while nursing a left elbow injury. The 28-year-old appeared in two games with Reading, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out a batter over two innings. The left-hander has produced a sparkling 0.63 ERA and 0.63 WHIP with 24 punchouts over 14.1 frames in 14 appearances with the Phillies in 2023 and he'll likely step back into a high-leverage role in the bullpen. In a corresponding move, right-hander Connor Brogdon was optioned to Triple-A on Friday.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To be activated Friday Alvarado (elbow) will be activated from the injured list Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado is again ready to be a high-leverage contributor out of the Phillies' bullpen following a four-week recovery from left elbow inflammation. He had become manager Rob Thomson's primary closer prior to the IL stint and should quickly work his way back toward the top of the saves mix. When healthy this year, Alvarado has delivered a terrific 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and no walks in 14.1 innings.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tracking toward Friday return Alvarado (elbow) will make what is expected to be his final rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Reading, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact As long as Alvarado comes out of that outing with no issues, he will be activated ahead of the Phillies' weekend series against the Dodgers. The left-handed reliever to this point has made one scoreless rehab appearance as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. Alvarado had emerged as manager Rob Thomson's go-to closer before getting hurt and should be thrown right back into that mix once activated, although Craig Kimbrel has pitched well in the role since Alvarado went down.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another rehab outing on tap Alvarado (elbow) is expected to continue his minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Reading before potentially being activated from the 15-day injured list, Scott Laub...

Impact The veteran left-hander made his first rehab outing Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and fired a scoreless inning. Alvarado will require at least one more appearance in the minors, and if all goes well Tuesday he could be back with the Phillies by the end of the week.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Alvarado (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Alvarado is expected to make two appearances on the farm before returning to the Phillies' bullpen around the middle of next week. The 28-year-old left-hander had converted five saves prior to going on the injured list May 10 due to elbow inflammation and should eventually cycle back into a share of the closer role. He boasts a 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and no walks in 14.1 innings for the year.

JUNE 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws live batting practice Alvarado (elbow) threw 13 pitches of live batting practice Wednesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact As long as there are no complications in the aftermath of the workout, Alvarado could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of the week. He had pitched to a stellar 0.63 ERA and 24:0 K:BB across 14.1 innings this year for the Phillies prior to going on the injured list May 10 with left elbow inflammation. He should be in the mix for saves again once he returns to full health.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for live BP on Wednesday Alvarado (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment if Wednesday's workout goes smoothly. The hard-throwing left-hander was sporting a 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and zero walks through 14.1 innings this year for the Phillies when he landed on the injured list May 10 due to elbow inflammation. He had also earned five saves and could eventually challenge Craig Kimbrel for a chunk of the team's ninth-inning opportunities.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Skips bullpen, but no setback Alvarado (elbow) played catch on flat ground but did not throw a bullpen session Saturday as scheduled, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Rob Thomson said Alvarado was hitting 98 mph in a bullpen session earlier this week and probably pushed himself too hard. However, despite the delay to Alvarado's return to mound work, the skipper insists this isn't a setback. With that, it sounds like the lefty still has a chance to advance to live batting practice next week.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen session coming Saturday Alvarado (elbow) will throw another bullpen session Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact If all goes according to plan, Alvarado will move to throwing live batting practice next week during the Phillies' series against the Mets. From there, the 28-year-old closer would likely require a rehab assignment before returning to Philly's bullpen. Alvarado has been on the injured list since May 10 with left elbow inflammation.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On track for bullpen session soon Alvarado (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday if Monday's flat-ground session goes well, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact He'll need an addition bullpen session after that before progressing to facing hitters and eventually going out on a rehab assignment. It's not clear at this point how many rehab appearances Alvarado might require. He's trending in the right direction, but the fireballing reliever still has a ways to go.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes throwing Friday Alvarado (elbow) played catch on flat ground Friday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Alvarado is just throwing from a distance of 75 feet for now and will continue that for a couple of days before then ramping up toward a return to mound work. The lefty reliever has been sidelined since May 10 due to elbow inflammation. He is tracking toward being ready for activation around the end of the month.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Should begin throwing this week Alvarado (elbow) is expected to begin a throwing program in the early part of the week, MLB.com reports.

Impact Alvarado isn't traveling with the Phillies while the team wraps up its six-game road trip with a three-game set in San Francisco to begin the week, but he looks to have received the green light to resume playing catch back in Philadelphia. The left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday due to elbow inflammation and is first eligible to return May 23. Assuming the Phillies' closer endures no setbacks as he initiates his throwing program, he could be on track for activation in close to the minimum 15 days.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MRI comes back clean The MRI on Alvarado's left elbow came back negative, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado is dealing with inflammation which forced him to the injured list earlier Wednesday, but thankfully he does not have any structural damage. He will be shut down for a few days before being re-evaluated. Gelb writes that the Phillies plan to "take it slow" with the reliever, so it seems likely to be longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Craig Kimbrel is the favorite to close for Philadelphia while Alvarado is shelved.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MRI still being reviewed Alvarado underwent an MRI on his ailing left elbow which is being reviewed Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarado went on the injured list Wednesday with what the Phillies called left elbow inflammation, but more clarity on his condition is expected to be available soon. Manager Rob Thomson admitted that he's "a little concerned, for sure," about his closer. Alvarado has been arguably the best reliever in baseball this season with a 1.88 ERA and 24:0 K:BB over 14.1 innings. Craig Kimbrel looks like the top candidate to close for the Phillies while Alvarado is away, with perhaps Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm also in the mix.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL Alvarado was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation.

Impact Alvarado was unavailable to pitch Tuesday versus the Blue Jays due to left wrist tightness and that uncomfortability has now reportedly moved into his elbow. Considering the injury is on his pitching arm, it's hard to predict the left-hander's availability moving forward. The move to the IL was made retroactive to Monday (May 8), so if he's able to avoid a prolonged absence, Alvarado would be eligible to return May 23. Craig Kimbrel could handle the lion's share of the ninth inning opportunities while Alvarado is out.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable due to tight wrist Alvarado was unavailable to pitch Tuesday against Toronto because of tightness in his left wrist, Zolecki reports.

Impact Alvarado mentioned that he's "unconcerned" about the injury, and he hopes to pitch during Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays if needed. The left-hander should be considered day-to-day, and even if he doesn't pitch Wednesday this doesn't appear to be a long-term issue.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fifth save of season Alvarado picked up the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He struck out two over a perfect inning.

Impact Alvarado has been one of the best closers in the league to start off the year. The southpaw has allowed just one earned run over 12.1 innings pitched, and his five saves are tied for fifth in MLB. Additionally, the former Ray currently sports a stellar 0.49 WHIP.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominates in save opportunity Alvarado picked up the save in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Astros. He didn't allow a baserunner while striking out two over one inning.

Impact Alvarado has been lights out this season. He struck out two more hitters in the ninth to bring his season total to 24 in just 12.1 innings. The flame throwing lefty leads the Phillies with five saves, all of which have come since April 19.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs fourth save Alvarado picked up the save during Wednesday's 6-5 win over Seattle. He allowed one hit while striking out two over one inning.

Impact Alvarado showed off his strikeout ability once again Wednesday, getting both Jose Caballero and Julio Rodriguez to go down swinging to close out the game. Through 11.1 innings, Alvarado has struck out 22 batters without a walk while only allowing one run. As long as he remains the Phillies closer, expect Alvarado to hold strong fantasy value.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE