Why the Phillies Pitcher Jose Alvarado Was Really Suspended

The spectacular debut of 2020 First Round Draft Pick Mick Abel was overshadowed this weekend by news that seems to have blindsided the Philadelphia Phillies organization and their fans.

Less than two hours before Mick Abel's first pitch on Sunday, Major League Baseball announced the suspension of Jose Alvarado for testing positive for a Performance Enhancing Drug (PED).  The Phillies' Left-Handed Relief Pitcher will be unavailable to pitch until August 19th, and he has been ruled ineligible for the 2025 Postseason.

There are many questions about "how" and "why" this happened, if the Phillies have any culpability, and what is next for both the team and Jose Alvarado.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The author of this article is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist, along with three other certifications in the Health and Fitness Industry

What Led To Jose Alvarado's Suspension?

According to Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, Alvarado did not "knowingly" take a PED or substance that could lead to a positive drug test. The Pitcher from Venezuela took a weight-loss drug this offseason to help him get into better shape because he has always been "conscious" about his weight.

Multiple reports have stated that the substance that Jose Alvarado tested positive for was Exogenous Testosterone. This Synthetic form of Testosterone can be found in Medical Treatments such as Testosterone Replacement Therapy and some Weight Loss Supplements.

The purpose of adding Synthetic Testosterone to a Weight Loss Supplement is to offset Estrogen Production in a way that does not require a Doctor's prescription. The combination of Elevated Testosterone and lower estrogen levels has proven to lead to "sustained weight loss" according to different studies.

But without a doctor's prescription and medical supervision, the addition of Synthetic Testosterone can be abused and be used to enhance physical performance.  Also, the consistent use of Synthetic Testosterone will have negative health side effects:

-Exogenous Testosterone will decrease the body's natural production of Testosterone, and the lowering of Intratesticular Testosterone Levels can have long-term health side effects
-Repetitive use of Exogenous Testosterone will cause Infertility in Men because it suppresses the body's natural spermatogenesis process

How Would Jose Alvarado Get His Hands On This Type of Supplement?

As I detailed nine years ago, when Eagles Right Tackle Lane Johnson was suspended 10 games in the 2016 NFL season, there are a plethora of supplements available in stores and online that people can purchase.

Many of these products make claims that do not have scientific backing or have not been verified by a third party. Similar to Lane Johnson's positive PED test in 2016, Jose Alvarado took a supplement from a category that has different ingredients in various products.

In the Health and Fitness Industry, numerous supplements claim to aid in Weight Loss. While some of these products do have organically sourced ingredients, many others have substances added that are questionable to their benefits and origins.

While living in the United States, you can visit a store in person or go to a website to purchase various supplements. Jose Alvarado lives in Venezuela, and there are products that may be available in South America that are not for sale in the United States. So Alvarado may have taken a supplement that he didn't even know the ingredients or if what was recommended to him was cleared for Professional Athletes.

Like Lane Johnson in 2016, Jose Alvarado should have reached out to the Phillies organization or the MLB Players Association to verify if what he was taking was on the list of "clean" supplements.

There is a LONG list of ingredients and supplements that are on the Prohibited Substances list available online, thanks to the MLB Players Association. The Certified for Sport Online Directory and website portal is hosted by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), which is an independent, non-government organization that works with both Sports Organizations and Supplement companies.

So, does Jose Alvarado being suspended for 80 days for violating MLB's PED policy make him a controversial figure? Here is our list of Philadelphia Sports' most controversial men of the last 30 years: