Phillies consider reunion with ex-yankee, met after jose alvarado suspension

The Phillies have at least contemplated a reunion with a veteran in their quest to replace their top reliever. With Jose Alvarado suspended 80 games Sunday for a positive PED test, which

leaves him ineligible for the playoffs, the Phillies reached out to 40-year-old free agent David Robertson, MLB.com reported Monday. Talks were not serious, according to the report, but he

could provide an immediate option if president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski doesn’t want to wait for the trade market to heat up. Robertson, who pitched for the Phillies in 2019 and 2022,

had a 3.00 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 72 innings last year for the Rangers, showing the right-hander still has good innings left in the tank. The former Yankees All-Star and

one-time Met has a career 2.91 ERA and 177 saves. EXPLORE MORE During the 2022 playoffs, in which the Phillies reached the World Series, Robertson allowed one run in 7 ⅔  innings with 11

strikeouts. Alvarado, a southpaw, had a 2.70 ERA with seven saves and 25 strikeouts in 20 innings this season before his suspension. His loss is a big blow to a Phillies team whose bullpen

was a big weakness to start the year, though some of their relievers have turned things around. Jordan Romano has not allowed a run over his last eight appearances, during which he has 11

strikeouts against three hits and one walk. He allowed 15 runs (14 earned) over his first 11 appearances. Orion Kerkering has allowed one run over his seven appearances this month after

giving up 10 runs (seven earned) in 13 April outings. The Phillies (29-18) took over the NL East lead from the Mets (29-19) on Monday with their win over the putrid Rockies combined with the

Amazin’s loss to the Red Sox.