Apr 28, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado (right) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) celebrate on the field after defeating the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jose Alvarado came running in at top speed from his pre-game work out in right field. He slowed halfway between first base and home plate, but all the while he had a giant smile on his face.
Once he slowed up, he walked the last 60 feet or so and went over to a few members of the Tampa Bay Rays organization, handed out some bear hugs, and then talked to his former colleagues for several minutes.
The big lefty is often joyful. But this was the most outwardly happy he's appeared on a ball field in the past few weeks.
Signed as an amateur free agent by the Rays when he was just 16 years old, Alvardo was with Tampa Bay through the conclusion of the 2020 season.
The Phillies acquired him that off-season as part of a three-team trade with the Rays and Los Angels Dodgers. And he's rode more of a roller coaster with this organization in the four years since than maybe any other player on the current roster.
But since returning from a mid-season demotion to the minors in 2022, Alvarado has been one of the most reliable arms in the Phillies bullpen. But 2024 has been bumpy at times, and when it has, it's mostly been because he was struggling with control and not missing bats.
It came to a head last Month in Atlanta, when he walked four batters in the eighth inning of an eventual 3-1 loss to the Braves. Alvarado clearly wasn't himself. Less than a week later, he had to leave the team for personal reasons that he said were family related.
But he's been back for a couple weeks now, and although he hasn't been used in a high-leverage spot since, Alvarado has definitely looked more like himself.
Jose Alvarado is the most electric pitcher in baseball pic.twitter.com/g7AsAwqdao
"His head is in a great spot," pitching coach Caleb Cotham said. "He's pitching free. It's something we talk a lot about. He talks a lot about how that's the key for him - not having too many thoughts about whatever it is. He's in a fantastic spot. I have a lot of trust. I just wanted to kind of get his feet back settled from having been away from the team for a little bit, but yeah, he's pitching as well as anybody."
In his last five games, all on the road, Alvarado has not allowed a run and has yielded three hits and two walks while striking out six in five innings.
And it's the strikeouts that are most noticeable. When he's at his best he gets a lot of swing and miss. It was part of his game that seemed to be lost when he was going through his control issues. But he seems to have gotten past it.
"He looks really good," manager Rob Thomson said. "The cutter has been really good. It's got a lot of depth to it right now. For him it's strike-throwing ability and he's doing that. He feels good and he's bouncing back right too."
Neither Thomson nor Cotham would commit to a plan to absolutely get him back into tight pots late in games, but it's not far off.
"It depends on the game and the availability, but the simplest answer is we are still comfortable putting him in big spots," Cotham said. "We're talking that way and if it shows up we're putting our guys in the best spot (to succeed.)"
The trainer's room at Citizens Bank Park these days could pass for an infirmary.
Alec Bohm, Austin Hays, Edmundo Sosa and Spencer Turnbull are all on the I.L. J.T. Realmuto is going to miss more time - and probably won't play until the series with the New York Mets this weekend. There were a bevy of updates provided on where each guy is at. Here's the latest:
Before tonight’s #Phillies game, manager Rob Thomson gave updates on J.T. Realmuto’s knee and Alec Bohm’s hand. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/p8LTcHa5iC
Realmuto: The Phillies catcher has a left knee contusion that he suffered Friday in Miami when he fouled a ball off his kneecap. He's missed the last two games and is likely out through the Tampa series. Thomson said they want to ensure the fluid is out of his knee and that they see him catch a bullpen session before determining which day he comes back. The original hope was that he would catch the bullpen prior to Monday's game, but it was pushed back at least a day.
Bohm: The All-Star third baseman has a left hand strain suffered on a swing and miss on Aug. 29 against Atlanta. X-rays were negative, which ruled out a hamate bone injury. That would have been the worst-case scenario for the Phillies as it would have knocked him out about six weeks. However, the inflammation and soreness took longer than expected to subside, and Bohm hasn't played since. He took ground balls and threw prior to the game Monday, but the issue is with swinging. In the interim he's taking dry swings and doing some tee work in the indoor batting cage. The Phillies won't activate him until he's pain-free for two days, but Thomson isn't worried about him returning in time to get into a rhythm before the postseason.
Hays: A kidney infection is the latest situation that has sidelined Hays, who has been in-and-out of the lineup since being acquired at the trade deadline. Thomson said it's going to be a few days before Hays gets back, although after initially saying that he added, "I don't know how many. It's going to be a while."
Sosa: Thomson said Sosa is still sore Monday, but that his back spasms are the least-concerning and that he'd be surprised if Sosa didn't come off the I.L. as soon as his 10-day minimum is up, which would be in Milwaukee next week.
Rafael Marchan: Many fans were wondering why Aramis Garcia was recalled with Realmuto banged up, and that's because Marchan suffered a shoulder injury at Triple-A. He's due back in the Lehigh Valley lineup Tuesday, and could be recalled soon thereafter, if a third catcher is still needed.
There was no new update on Turnbull.
The Phillies recalled LHP Tyler Gilbert on Monday and optioned RHP Seth Johnson back to Triple-A. Gilbert is here for now as the Phillies are going with just four starters on the roster until a fifth is needed, which isn't until Saturday. LHP Kolby Allard is expected to be recalled to pitch on Saturday. It's apparent the Phillies see the series in Milwaukee as their most important remaining series, as they could have pushed that No. 5 spot forward to Milwaukee because of an off day this Thursday. However, by having Allard pitch Saturday, the Phillies can now lineup Ranger Suarez, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola to pitch the three games against the Brewers next week.
The game in New York against the Mets on Sept. 22 has been flexed to Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. The game will now begin at 7:10 PM. Three of the four games in that series will be broadcast nationally. Friday will be on Apple TV; Saturday will be the Fox Game of the Week, and Sunday will be on ESPN.
