Elbow issue sends Jose Alvarado to IL for second time in 2023

The Philadelphia Phillies placed reliever Jose Alvarado on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow inflammation.

Alvarado, 28, has posted a 1.38 ERA with 6 saves, 39 strikeouts and 9 walks in 26 appearances (26 innings). He last pitched in a one-inning scoreless outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday; this IL move is retroactive to Friday.

Although All-Star Craig Kimbrel has assumed the closer job, Alvarado maintains a vital role for the Phillies in high-leverage spots. Philadelphia is 20-6 this season in the games in which Alvarado has pitched.

Alvarado was on the IL with the same injury from May 8 to June 8.

“There’s always concern, but it’s basically the same thing he had before,” manager Rob Thomson said before his team’s series finale against the Miami Marlins. “Some inflammation in the elbow and just has to calm it down.”

The Phillies recalled right-hander Andrew Bellatti from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the spot on the 26-man roster.

Bellatti, 31, is 1-0 with a 5.68 ERA in 15 appearances out of the Philadelphia bullpen this season. He is 1-0 with three saves and a 1.20 ERA in 15 games at Lehigh Valley.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.