Injury José Alvarado: Phillies places reliever on injured list with elbow infection after great start

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By Webdesk



The Philadelphia Phillies have placed reliever José Alvarado on the injured list due to an inflammation in his throwing elbow, the club announced on Wednesday. In a similar move, right-handed reliever Andrew Bellatti has been called up to a minor league rehab assignment, recovering from triceps tendonitis.

However, the focus should be on Alvarado here. The big lefty has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season. In his 14 1/3 innings, Alvarado has a 1.88 ERA, 0.88 FIP, 0.70 WHIP and 24 strikeouts against only one walk.

The Phillies – who have suffered significant injuries to several key players in the season following their NL pennant – are a disappointing 17-19 on the season thus far. They won twice in a row on Wednesday, but Alvarado’s loss is a major blow to the bullpen.

The news also sounds quite alarming. He has already had an MRI and is going to see a doctor on Wednesday.

“I’m definitely a little worried,” manager Rob Thomson told reporters (through Matt Gelb).

Without Alvarado, it’s possible the Phillies would turn to Craig Kimbrel as a full-time closer, but he really shouldn’t be at this point in his career. In 15 appearances this season, he has a 7.62 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with nine walks in 13 innings. Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto have a lot of late-inning experience in their respective careers, but neither has been great this season.

Perhaps lefty Matt Strahm, moving to the bullpen after a successful stint as a starter, can provide some quality, meaningful innings. Righty Connor Brodgon has been mostly good this year, so maybe he’s taking on more responsibility.

Let’s also keep in mind that the best way to protect against a flimsy and potentially leaky bullpen is to start pitching well and left-hander Ranger Suárez is scheduled to come off the injured list on Saturday for his 2023 debut.

But given the start of the season for Alvarado, elbow inflammation is a particularly concerning injury for the defending NL champions.





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