The recent 80-game suspension of Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado is making headlines, not just because of the player involved, but because it underscores a broader truth about professional sports drug policies: drug testing and, more notably, sanctions operate independently of timing, contracts, or performance. Alvarado is the second major league player to be suspended this season under the league’s drug program. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar received the same 80-game penalty on March 31, highlighting that enforcement is consistent and impersonal, no matter the individual or circumstances.
According to MLB’s official statement, Alvarado tested positive for exogenous testosterone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. The suspension, which cost him half his $9 million salary this season and makes him ineligible for postseason play, is effective immediately.
Alvarado’s case raises more questions than answers, and that’s the problem. While Phillies leadership has said the positive result stemmed from a weight-loss drug taken in the offseason, there’s still no publicly confirmed information about what triggered the failed test.
Statements from Phillies president Dave Dombrowski note that the test occurred last summer, that “subsequent tests were not failed,” and that Alvarado reportedly did not knowingly take a banned substance. Yet, the impact is happening now, mid-season, during a strong performance year. Alvarado’s positive test reminds us of a critical truth in professional sports: intent doesn’t always matter; education and vigilance do.
What This Means for Athletes
Whether you’re a big leaguer or a student-athlete, a single misstep can have significant consequences even months later in the season.
Supplements, weight-loss aids, and recovery products can pose serious risks if not properly vetted. Many people mistakenly trust that most supplements undergo the same strict clearance process as medications and medical devices. In reality, they don’t. In fact, research has shown that supplements marketed for weight loss and sports performance are among the most likely to contain dangerous, unapproved stimulants. One study found that products labeled as containing deterenol, a stimulant banned in multiple countries, actually included up to four different experimental stimulants per product. These combinations had never been tested in humans, and their safety remains unknown, raising serious concerns about the risks these unregulated “cocktails” pose to consumers.
Supplements are regulated after they reach the market, meaning the FDA and other agencies do not evaluate their safety or contents before they’re sold, even at major retailers like grocery stores and GNC. An article in the Human Kinetics Journal revealed that between 40% and 70% of athletes use dietary supplements, and 10% to 15% of supplements may contain prohibited substances. To reduce risk, choose third-party certified supplements, such as NSF Certified for Sport® or Informed-Sport, which test for banned substances and verify that what’s on the label matches what’s in the product.
Before using any supplement, ask:
- Is the product third-party certified?
- Does it make exaggerated claims about performance or recovery?
- Are all ingredients and amounts clearly listed?
- Is there scientific evidence supporting its use and dosage?
- Could the same nutrients be obtained from food?
- Am I already taking other supplements that may interact?
Additionally, all athletes must be familiar with the prohibited substance list specific to their governing sports organization, as many dietary supplements contain banned ingredients or are contaminated with them, often without being listed on the label.
Most importantly, athletes should seek guidance from a qualified sports medicine or healthcare professional before initiating any supplement regimen to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of inadvertent doping violations. Always consult a qualified sports medicine provider, pharmacist, or dietitian before starting a new supplement or treatment. They can help you assess the risks and verify compliance.
Until we know precisely what form of exogenous testosterone (all are banned) triggered Alvarado’s positive test, we’re left with speculation. What is certain, however, is that prevention relies on awareness, education, and proactive decision-making, like following USADA’s athlete education programs, using only third-party tested supplements, and consulting with sports physicians or pharmacists who understand banned substance regulations.
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Written by Jessie Tobin, MA, BA
After receiving her master’s in professional communication, Jessie began her professional career at a healthcare technology startup, where she managed all content writing, paid media, email marketing and partner relationships. She is deeply passionate about using storytelling to build strong emotional connections between brands and their audiences, a skill she has refined through her YouTube channel, which has over 17 million views. Aside from copywriting, she shares her expertise as a professor at The University of Tampa.