Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado has been suspended 80 games without pay for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.
The hard-throwing left-hander tested positive for exogenous testosterone, which is a performance-enhancing substance, MLB said in its statement Sunday.
The suspension is effective immediately. By rule, Alvarado will also be ineligible for the postseason this year.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the positive test was caused by a weight-loss drug Alvarado took during the offseason. Dombrowski said Alvarado accepted the suspension and did not appeal.
"It's not something he did knowingly," Dombrowski said. "I believe that, the way he talked to me."
Barring rainouts that push games into later this season, Alvarado would be eligible to return Aug. 19 against Seattle. Alvarado will lose $4.5 million, half his $9 million salary this year, as part of a $22 million, three-year contract he signed in 2023. Philadelphia has a $9 million option on Alvarado for 2026 with a $500,000 buyout.
"We've got to move on," manager Rob Thomson said. "It's too bad, but we've got to move on. We have really good pieces here that can pick up the slack."
Alvarado leads the Phillies with seven saves this season. He is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances. He has 25 strikeouts and four walks in 20 innings pitched. His 99.6 mph four-seam fastball velocity ranks fifth among those who have thrown 250 or more pitches.
Phillies closing options include Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering. Romano has five saves this season, including Sunday when he struck out the side to preserve a 1-0 Phillies victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Alvarado is the second major league player suspended this season under MLB's drug testing program. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games March 31.
Right-hander Jose Ruiz, on the injured list since May 3 with neck spasms, was activated to fill Alvarado's roster spot.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.