José Alvarado feels ‘rhythm coming back,’ and why that could benefit the Phillies

PHOENIX — Before the Phillies activated him from the injured list on June 9, José Alvarado was one of the best — if not the best — reliever in baseball. He posted a 0.63 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 14⅓ innings. He had yet to walk a batter.

But in his first two outings back, Alvarado’s command wasn’t where it was before he went on the IL on May 10 (retroactive to May 8) with left elbow inflammation. He allowed a leadoff double and his first walk of the season on June 9 against the Dodgers. Only 12 of the 22 pitches he threw were strikes. In his second outing back, on June 11, he allowed two walks and a run. Only 16 of his 30 pitches were strikes.

However, on Wednesday night, he looked more like himself. Tasked with protecting a 4-3 lead with a runner on second in the 10th inning, Alvarado allowed one walk but retired all the other batters he faced. He didn’t have a good feel for his cutter, but it didn’t matter. He was throwing his sinker for strikes.

Alvarado needed 23 pitches to earn his sixth save of the season, 16 of them strikes in the 4-3 victory. He hit 100 mph 16 times — but that wasn’t what he was most encouraged by.

“Yesterday, I felt like my rhythm was coming back,” Alvarado said. “And that’s what I want. I’m ready for any situation.

“When I’m in rhythm, my command is awesome. Hit the target. Boom. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It’s hard for the hitter to think about, ‘Oh [expletive], it’s coming. I need to swing no matter what.’ Because I’m going to throw 100 mph middle-middle.”

» READ MORE: Aaron Nola’s pitch-clock complaints (and contract distractions?) must end for Phillies to win

He sees Wednesday’s game as an outing he can build off of.

“It was a big fight,” he said.

Manager Rob Thomson said Bryce Harper will progress to throwing from 105 feet over the next few days. He will still take ground balls at first base.

“Shortly, we’re going to get him tossing to first base,” Thomson said. “Fielding balls in the three-four hole, where he’s got to throw it overhand to the pitcher.”

Thomson said Harper could return to the field — at first base — after the All-Star break, adding that it might be closer to August.

» READ MORE: Christian Walker, a Norristown native, reflects on how his upbringing shaped him as a player

Thomson said he doesn’t have an update on who will be the bulk pitcher in Saturday’s bullpen game, but it is noteworthy that the Phillies’ triple A affiliate has altered its rotation of late, and Cristopher Sánchez isn’t listed any more. … Andrew Painter (right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Friday. … The Phillies named Juan Samuel special assistant to player development and international scouting. “It’s great,” Thomson said of the move. “Sammy is a good man. He really is. I like him a lot.”