Phillies' Jose Alverado Suspended for 80 games for PED Ban
Phillies Pitcher Jose Alverado Suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s drug policy
As the Phillies are stretched thin in the bullpen, problems just got worse; as one of their relievers, Jose Alvarado, has been placed on an 80 game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy.
Alvarado will be suspended without pay, as he tested positive for exogenous testosterone, which is a performance-enhancing substance, MLB said in its statement Sunday.
According to ESPN, the suspension — effective immediatel — By rule, will make Alvarado ineligible for the postseason this year.
Dave Dombrowski, Phillies president of baseball operations, said the positive test was caused by Alvarado’s consumption weight-loss drug took during the offseason. Dombrowski said Alvarado accepted the suspension and did not appeal.
“It’s not something he did knowingly,” Dombrowski said. “I believe that, the way he talked to me.”
Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson has not lost much sleep on the issue and has approached the situation with a ‘next man up mentality’
“We’ve got to move on,” Thomson said. “It’s too bad, but we’ve got to move on. We have really good pieces here that can pick up the slack.”
Alvarado is the second major league player suspended this season under MLB’s drug testing program. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games March 31.
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