Hard-throwing José Alvarado, Jhoan Duran join up in Phillies bullpen: ‘That’s some fire coming out of there’

PHILADELPHIA — Shortly after José Alvarado was officially reinstated from his suspension on Tuesday afternoon, the pitcher walked in from the outfield at Citizens Bank and toward the first-base dugout. The relievers had just finished stretching and throwing, and joining Alvarado on the warning track was Jhoan Duran, the Phillies’ star closer.

Alvarado was the team’s best reliever at the start of the season before being banned for 80 games starting May 18 for failing a drug test. Duran, acquired at the trade deadline, is Philadelphia’s new prized ninth-inning weapon. The two now share a bullpen for the first time, and their potential in high-leverage situations is tantalizing.

“Oof,” manager Rob Thomson said. “If Alvy’s Alvy, that’s some fire coming out of there. No doubt about it.”

The left-hander Alvarado and the righty Duran are two of the hardest throwers in Phillies franchise history. Alvarado’s fastball averaged 99.3 mph before he was suspended. Duran’s fastball is averaging 100.4 mph on the year, the best mark in the major leagues. That gives the Phillies a power option from each side down the stretch.

Alvarado chuckled when asked how he thinks that’ll play in the late innings.

“That’s a good matchup: power lefty and power righty in the bullpen,” Alvarado said.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that there is an expiration date on this tandem, at least for this season. As part of the terms of his suspension, Alvarado will not be eligible for the postseason if the Phillies make it. That’s a major blow for the bullpen, and part of why the team felt the need to go get a shutdown closer like Duran last month.

But there’s nothing Alvarado or the team can do about it at this point, so he’s willing to do what it takes to help Philadelphia get to the playoffs in the best possible position. Thomson has said he’ll ease the left-hander into bigger spots, but Alvarado will likely end up recording key outs for the Phillies late in the regular season.

“The bullpen is complete now for me,” Duran said. “It’s great having him here. Great arm. He’s got really good pitches. He’s great.”

Duran has been impressed with Alvarado’s ability to do what he does as a left-hander. He said he’s really only seen this level of stuff from two southpaws in the game: Alvarado and Red Sox veteran Aroldis Chapman.

“It’s crazy because he’s lefty,” Duran said. “Not every lefty throws like him. He throws really hard, aggressive to home plate.”

Duran and Alvarado first met each other back when Alvarado was with the Rays and Duran was a Twin. They had mutual respect and spoke before games a few times over the years. But in the last few days, the pair have gotten to know each other a little more. Duran said that they might be able to learn from each other.

“Now, I’m here and we talk a lot,” Duran said. “We try to be relaxed and enjoy the time.”

At the very least, Alvarado and Duran should be exciting to watch when they exit the bullpen doors.

“It’s awesome, man,” Alvarado said.