Phillies Reliever Alvarado Starts Injury Rehab Assignment

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher José Alvarado threw one inning in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night.

It was Alvarado’s first appearance in a game since early July before an injury put him on the 15-day injured list. The Phillies had scheduled Alvarado start his rehab on Tuesday after he had successful live bullpen sessions on Friday and Sunday in Philadelphia while the Phillies were hosting the Minnesota Twins.

Alvarado came on in the third inning. He started by getting Jacksonville’s Xavier Edwards to ground out. After that, Garrett Hampson singled to right field. He then stole second base.

Hampson moved to third on a groundout by Troy Johnston and then Dane Myers struck out on a foul tip to end the inning.

Along with the one hit and one strikeout allowed, Alvarado threw 17 pitches, 13 of which were strikes. The Phillies didn’t want him to throw more than 20 pitches.

Assuming there are no setbacks, the Phillies will throw Alvarado again on Friday.

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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