Latest news with #JoseAlvarado
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans' Jose Alvarado hilariously reveals his favorite NBA player
The post Pelicans' Jose Alvarado hilariously reveals his favorite NBA player appeared first on ClutchPoints. Jose Alvarado had a breakout campaign for the New Orleans Hornets last season, playing a key role off the bench for the upstart squad. Advertisement He averaged in double-digit scoring for the first time at 10.3 points per game. He also tallied career-highs in rebounds, assists, and steals, proving he's one of the more dependable backup guards in the NBA. Alvarado's confidence is always on full display whenever he checks into the game. He's a guy who definitely bets on himself every single time. When a Pelicans fan page on X asked about Alvarado, the feisty playmaker had the perfect response. 'I love him, he is my favorite player,' wrote the Pelicans guard in jest. As they say, love yourself first. The 27-year-old Alvarado, who hails from Puerto Rico, has become a fan favorite in New Orleans because of his relentlessness, especially on the defensive end. Nicknamed 'Grand Theft Alvarado' for his infamously stealthy tactic to steal the ball, he went undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2021. The Hornets, however, took a chance on him and signed him to a two-way contract. Advertisement The former ACC Defensive Player of the Year carved out a role in the team as a pesky disruptor, while also providing streaky offense. In the 2023-24 season, he was among the contenders for the Sixth Man of the Year award. While Alvarado had a strong year despite being limited to 56 games due to injuries, the Pelicans missed the playoffs last season after a lowly 21-61 record. It could be considered a transition period, as the team finally let go of the oft-injured star Brandon Ingram, trading him to the Toronto Raptors before the deadline. This season, the Pelicans, who have only made it to the playoffs twice in the last seven years, will welcome a new face in Jordan Poole. The squad acquired him from the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum. For sure, Poole will love the good-humored Alvarado as a teammate. If not, well, Alvarado already knows who loves Alvarado the most. Advertisement Related: NBA rumors: Pelicans' Jonathan Kuminga interest faces 'considerable' obstacles Related: New Orleans Pelicans 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies Predicted to Move Jesus Luzardo to Bullpen With Andrew Painter's Debut Waiting
Phillies Predicted to Move Jesus Luzardo to Bullpen With Andrew Painter's Debut Waiting originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies' starting rotation is loaded, and while that's always a good thing, it could cause some confusion heading into the trade deadline and the second half of the season. Advertisement For the Phillies, who will be without their best reliever, Jose Alvarado, due to a suspension, despite returning at the end of the year, it further complicates things. That could mean making someone like Jesus Luzardo a potential bullpen option. When looking at the possibility, The Athletic recently named him the most likely candidate to be put in the bullpen. They noted that there's an early candidate for the move, naming Luzardo as that player. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) reacts after being removed from the game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Ross-Imagn Images 'Those dates are far away. But there's an early candidate for the move: Jesús Luzardo, who has stumbled somewhat since recovering from potentially tipping and surrendering 20 runs to the Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers. Luzardo has worked high pitch counts early in recent outings; it was 13 after the first inning on Saturday, which jumped to 44 after facing six batters in the second. He threw 27 pitches in the first at Tampa Bay on May 8. Against the Diamondbacks on May 2, he threw 27 pitches in the second and 25 in the third,' they wrote. Advertisement Luzardo was struggling, but has seemingly figured some things out over his past few outings. In his last two appearances, against the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, he allowed just two earned runs. While he allowed seven hits and walked three against the Braves, throwing in 5.0 innings, he limited damage by giving up two runs. Adding him to the bullpen would be intriguing, but it's also something that he'd have to get used to, as he hasn't been a reliever since the 2021 campaign with the Oakland Athletics. Related: Phillies Linked to Non-Luis Robert Trade to Replace Johan Rojas With All-Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dave Dombrowski Expects Jose Alvarado to Help Phillies After Serving 80-Game PED Suspension
Dave Dombrowski Expects Jose Alvarado to Help Phillies After Serving 80-Game PED Suspension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for bullpen help, especially after the struggles of their current players. But, one of the main reasons why the team is in more desperate need of a reliever is due to the suspension of Jose Alvarado. Advertisement He was caught using PEDs and was suspended for 80 games and the 2025 postseason. However, despite his suspension, Phillies' president of baseball operations, in an article from Jayson Stark in The Athletic, expects Alvarado to make an impact to close out the regular season. "Don't forget... on August 19th, we do get Jose Alvarado back for the rest of the regular season, too," Dombrowski said. "So he can help us win during the regular season, even though he won't be available in the postseason." This plan to use Alvarado in the regular season is the first inclination of how the Phillies plan to use Alvarado after his suspension. In August, the Phillies will likely be in the middle of a tightly contested race for a postseason spot, whether it's atop the NL East or a Wild Card spot if things go wrong. Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado (46) pitches against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Penner-Imagn Images But, regardless of where the Phillies are, they will likely be vying for a better seed in the postseason. With the Phillies unable to use Alvarado come October, using him while they can in August and September isn't the worst idea. Advertisement Dombrowski plans to have Alvarado be a factor for the Phillies and contribute to the bullpen to close out the 2025 regular season. While he won't pitch in the postseason, his addition to the bullpen at the end of the year could be a difference maker in the team getting a better seed, or into the postseason altogether. Before Alvarado was suspended, he had a 2.70 ERA and a 4-1 record over 20 innings of work. He had a great 25-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which was by far the best of his career. Getting a reliever like that to help end the year could be a huge addition when the Phillies need it most. However, there's no guarantee he's as good as he was to begin the year. He'll have sat out 80 games and wouldn't have pitched since the middle of May. But knowing Alvarado is expected to return and make a difference at the end of the year is a comforting thought as a huge trade deadline approaches for the Phillies. Related: Phillies' Dave Dombrowski Reveals Philadelphia's Trade Deadline Plans Related: Former Phillies Veteran Announces Retirement from MLB This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies' Dave Dombrowski Makes Firm Zack Wheeler Decision
Phillies' Dave Dombrowski Makes Firm Zack Wheeler Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies will have some tough decisions to make over the next few weeks and months, especially as the postseason approaches. Advertisement With Mick Abel throwing the baseball at a high level, Andrew Painter expected to debut, Aaron Nola dealing with an injury, Jose Alvarado suspended, and more, the Phillies find themselves in a strange position. However, they have a ton of pitching, and that's never a bad thing. When asked about what the Phillies' plans might be in the bullpen come the postseason, as many expect a few starters to fit in that role, Dave Dombrowski said that anything is up for grabs at the moment, but he doesn't expect Zack Wheeler to be one of those arms. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) walks back towards the dugout after the fourth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Lee-Imagn Images 'Well, I won't speculate on names,' he replied, 'because that always creates a little bit of consternation. But I would say I don't think Zack Wheeler is that guy.' Advertisement This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Wheeler is the ace of this loaded Phillies staff. Regarding Alvarado, however, he could still be useful despite his suspension. He's to return in August, but will be out for the entire postseason due to his suspension. Dombrowski still envisions a role for him when he returns, an important one. 'I wouldn't rule anything out, but likely later,' he said. 'Don't forget … on Aug. 19, we do get José Alvarado (who is serving an 80-game PED suspension) back for the rest of the regular season, too. So he can help us win during the regular season, even though he won't be available in the postseason." Related: Phillies' J.T. Realmuto Predicted to Only Return in Free Agency on One Condition This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade Idea Moves Cardinals' Ryan Helsley to Phillies
Trade Idea Moves Cardinals' Ryan Helsley to Phillies originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies' strongest source of struggle this season has been their bullpen, punctuated by blown saves early in the campaign and a lack of efficiency since then. An 80-game suspension for Jose Alvarado, one of the team's most consistent go-to relief pitching options, certainly has not helped things. Advertisement Those struggles have not proved to be too costly, though, as the Phillies possess the second-best record in the National League (46-30), which is also the third-best in baseball. Because of this, the Phillies are expected to be buyers ahead of the trade deadline, with relief pitching serving as a high priority for their front office. Yahoo Sports' Russell Dorsey sees the Phillies as a team that can contend for some of the top relievers other franchises put on the trading block. He considers the Phillies a potential destination for St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, a star player on a team still in the thick of the playoff race. Dorsey also believes the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees could be strong fits for Helsley. St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Blaze-Imagn Images "Since being named the Cardinals' closer in 2022, Ryan Helsley has been the definition of a shutdown closer. The right-hander's 93 saves since then are sixth-most among relievers over that span," Dorsey wrote. "But as with [Emmanuel] Clase, there have been some struggles for the Cardinals' closer this season. Helsley is 3-0 with a 3.96 ERA over, but he has a 5.14 ERA over his past seven outings. A big reason for that is hitters' success against his fastball. The pitch is typically unhittable, but batters are hitting .400 against Helsley's four-seamer this season. Advertisement "There might be some cause for concern with the Cardinals' closer, but Helsley isn't the first reliever to go through struggles. And with his track record being what it is, a contender might well believe that a few tweaks and a change of scenery could be just what Helsley needs." Helsely has spent the entirety of his seven-year MLB career with the Cardinals, the team he represented in both the 2022 and 2024 All-Star Games. Across 265 big-league relief appearances, Helsley has pitched to a 31-14 record, 2.73 ERA, and 1.13 WHIP, in addition to punching out 345 batters in 289.2 innings pitched. Related: Phillies Trade Idea Lands Guardians' All-Star Closer Amid Bullpen Woes This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
