The Philadelphia Phillies placed left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarado on the restricted list Monday, saying in a release that Alvarado has left the team to deal with a personal matter.
Alvarado was with the Phillies earlier Monday and met with team officials before leaving the ballpark, The Athletic reported.
In a corresponding move for the 26-man roster, Philadelphia recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Alvarado, 29, is in his fourth season in the Phillies’ bullpen after playing four seasons for the Tampa Bay Rays (2017-20). In 56 appearances this season, Alvarado is 1-5 with a career-high 13 saves and a 4.30 ERA. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 25 in 52 1/3 innings.
In 370 career games (one start) in his eight-year MLB career, Alvarado is 14-25 with 45 saves, a 3.46 ERA and 426 strikeouts.
Mercado, 25, made his major league debut in June and pitched in four games for the Phillies, starting two, before being sent back to Triple-A. He went 1-2 with a 9.26 ERA in 11 2/3 innings with Philadelphia. At Lehigh Valley, Mercado had a 2-1 record and a 1.96 ERA in 24 games (10 starts).