Denver (AP) - The Philadelphia Phillies entered this season with a desire for a World Series, and José Alvarado is one of the reasons for this optimism.

Alvarado has already had a success this year, but he left a hole behind the Philadelphia bullpen when he took an aggressive test of external testosterone after being suspended from 80 games on Sunday by Major League Baseball.

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On Monday night, the suspension is the second day before seven games against the Colorado Rockies at batsman-friendly Coors Stadium on Monday night.

Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said he doesn't want his relief workers to change their approach.

"Just do your thing, try not to be your identity, because I really believe there is enough in our pen," Thomson said. "We do it. Just don't try to do too much. Strike. Be yourself and we can do it."

Alvarado had seven saves with 2.70 ERA and team-leading, but Thomson also used right-hander Jordan Romano in the ninth inning. Romano had five saves, Matt Strahm had two and Taiwan Walker.

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Other candidates may appear in Thomson's Bullpen.

"We have to find out some other people, too," Thomson said. "Joe Ross hasn't pitched for eight days, so he has to pitch tonight, which is probably a leverage location. Same as (Jose) Ruiz. We've been through (Tanner) Bank on some leverages lately and he's doing a great job."

Philadelphia insists on a bullpen to the road trip. The Phillies called Triple-A's right-hander Max Lazar and chose Mick Abel, who won his major league debut on Sunday with nine three-point shooting against Pittsburgh, a club record for pitchers in his first major league game.

Thomson said Lazal was an option for right or left-handed.

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"He actually performed well and he was really good at speed," Thomson said. "He threw a lot of strikes, it was really good to break the ball, and he was a little neutral.

Unless it rains, Alvarado will be eligible to return in the August 19 game against Seattle. He will lose $4.5 million, exactly the $9 million salary this year, part of a $22 million three-year contract.

He is not eligible for the playoffs due to the suspension.

Thomson said he did not hesitate to use Alvarado in the final six weeks of the regular season if the Phillies enter the playoffs.

“If his pitch is good, yes,” Thomson said, using Alvarado as close. “We have to get there.”

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