José Alvarado's $9 Million Option Exercised by Phillies After Suspension and Return

The Philadelphia Phillies have exercised their $9 million option on reliever José Alvarado, opting against a $500,000 buyout as part of his three-year, $22 million contract. The 30-year-old left-hander served an 80-game suspension from mid-May through mid-August due to a positive drug test. Upon his return, Alvarado posted a 4-2 record with a 3.81 ERA and secured seven saves in eight opportunities for Philadelphia.