Philly Radio Host Outraged Over José Alvarado’s Suspension: “Unacceptable on Every Level”
Philadelphia Phillies fans were stunned Sunday morning when news broke that star reliever José Alvarado received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug. The suspension is a massive setback for a team currently leading the National League and eyeing a deep postseason run.
The team must now scramble to fill the void left by Alvarado, who won’t be eligible to return until August 19—and won’t be able to pitch in the playoffs. Manager Rob Thomson will also need to rework his bullpen strategy without one of his most reliable arms.
Understandably, fans feel frustrated and blindsided. According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Alvarado was reportedly taking a weight-loss medication during the offseason that contained exogenous testosterone, a substance prohibited by Major League Baseball. The situation has sparked a wave of criticism, especially from local sports radio hosts.
John Kincade of 97.5 The Fanatic called Alvarado’s suspension “completely avoidable,” pointing out that MLB provides a simple process for players to verify whether supplements are compliant. “All a player has to do is snap a photo, upload it to the league’s portal, and wait for approval,” Kincade said during an on-air rant. “The fact that a professional athlete wouldn’t take that step is hard to understand.”
Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski expressed belief that Alvarado did not intentionally cheat, emphasizing the pitcher’s long-standing concern about his weight. But Dombrowski was also clear: regardless of intent, the responsibility still lies with the player.
“This system is strict for a reason,” Dombrowski said. “You are ultimately responsible for everything you put in your body.”
But the criticism didn’t stop with Alvarado. Fellow 97.5 host Mike Missanelli aimed his frustration squarely at the Phillies’ front office and support staff. “How are the Phillies not monitoring this?” he asked. “You’re telling me no one from the training or medical staff was tracking how one of your top pitchers was trying to lose weight? In this day and age, that’s inexcusable.”
Missanelli questioned why no one flagged the noticeable uptick in Alvarado’s velocity as potentially concerning, especially given his age and offseason weight-loss efforts.
Both hosts highlighted a shared failure: Alvarado should have taken precautions, but the organization also failed to provide oversight. Missing Alvarado for the rest of the regular season is bad enough—but not having him available in October could prove disastrous.
With a major bullpen hole to fill, Dombrowski is now expected to make aggressive moves ahead of the trade deadline. But the cost in talent and prospects may be higher than what the Phillies had originally budgeted.
In the end, the blame doesn’t fall on just one party. The player and the organization both dropped the ball—at a time when the margin for error is razor-thin.
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