PHILADELPHIA — In the aftermath of his 80-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug on May 18, José Alvarado traveled home to his native Venezuela. He needed to get away — from Philadelphia, from social media, from the noise.
The left-hander was disappointed. He prepared on his own, throwing bullpens and facing live hitters. And he never stopped following the Phillies from afar.
“A lot,” Alvarado said. “I watched my teammates every day.”
It was tough. During some games, he’d identify a time when he’d probably be trotting out of the bullpen to protect a lead for the Phillies.