PHILADELPHIA – Suspended Phillies left-handed reliever José Alvarado’s corner locker in the Phillies clubhouse has not sat empty. Brett de Geus, a call-up for the doubleheader against the Braves during the last homestand, rented it for a day. The stall now belongs to rookie starting pitcher Mick Abel, who may or may not be around when Alvarado returns in mid-August.
It’s been three-and-a-half weeks since the Phillies lost their prized left-handed reliever to an 80-game PED suspension. Alvarado’s absence has left a void. The Phillies are short on high-leverage relief options. When the Phillies have a close lead late, they typically go to Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm and Jordan Romano for the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.