The Phillies announced on Wednesday that they picked up their club option on reliever José Alvarado for 2026, keeping the hard-throwing left-hander in the bullpen for at least another season. The pitcher has performed like one of the most electric late-inning arms in the major leagues at different points for Philadelphia, but he’ll have to prove he can return to that form after a 2025 campaign that was shortened by suspension and injury.
Alvarado, 30, has a career 3.47 ERA with 52 saves in nine big-league seasons. He’ll make $9 million next season.
After coming to the Phillies in a trade prior to the 2021 season, the lefty refined his abilities and emerged as a weapon in 2022 and 2023.