Philadelphia Phillies Reliever Nears Injury Rehab Assignment

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher José Alvarado has one more bullpen session to go before the Phillies will send him on an injury rehab assignment next week, barring any setbacks.

MLB.com reported that Alvarado threw a bullpen on Friday, a session during which manager Rob Thomson said was “unbelievable.”

He’ll throw another session on Sunday, when the Phillies wrap up their home series with the Minnesota Twins.

Assuming everything goes as planned on Sunday, the Phillies will send Alvarado on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Monday is an off-day across minor league baseball.

Earlier this week the Phillies pushed Alvarado’s bullpen session back due to cramping in his hands. At the time the Phillies expressed no issues with Alvarado’s recovery, and Friday’s bullpen appears to validate that.

The Phillies placed the left-hander on the 15-day injured list on July 9 due to left elbow inflammation. This is his second stint on the injured list season.

The Phillies also placed Alvarado on the 15-day injured list on May 10, also due to left elbow inflammation.

Even with the injuries, he’s been a reliable arm in the bullpen this season for Philadelphia. He hasn’t registered a decision, but he has a 1.38 ERA, which would be his career best. He had a 2.39 ERA with Tampa Bay in 2018.

He’s thrown 26 innings in 26 games, giving up just 21 hits and seven runs (four earned). He’s struck out 39 against nine walks and is allowing batters to hit .216 against him.

He has a career record of 13-18 with a 3.36 ERA with 92 holds and 28 saves. He strikes out more than 11 hitters per nine innings.

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