Before sustaining a back injury, Ranger Suarez was performing as the top pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation. As the Phillies experience a slump, Suarez’s much-anticipated return is approaching.
The left-hander pitched a two-inning simulated game on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Manager Rob Thompson commented that Suarez “looked good” during the outing. He reached the low 90s with his fastball and displayed strong precision with his off-speed pitches. Suarez is set to pitch again on Aug. 18, either in another simulated game or in a rehab appearance at Triple-A. Thompson confirmed that upon Suarez’s return, the Phillies will shift to a six-man rotation.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/T7U4JEVWRBCLDGTRKANLAMY5BE.jpg)
He has been sidelined since July 27 with lower back soreness. Suarez threw his first bullpen session on Aug. 5 and another on Aug. 8. Now facing live hitters, he has shown steady progress in his recovery.
His next outing will be crucial in determining the Phillies’ plans for his return. If he looks strong and comes out healthy, Philadelphia might bring him back to the MLB immediately. However, if he struggles or his back isn’t fully recovered, he might get another minor league outing. Regardless of the decision – barring a setback – Suarez is likely to rejoin the Phillies soon.
Suarez’s return will be a significant boost for Philly’s rotation and their overall roster. Over his 20 starts in 2024, he has a 10-5 record with a 2.87 ERA and a 116/27 K/BB ratio, earning him his first All-Star Game nomination in his seven-year career.
The Phillies currently hold a six-game lead in the NL East. As they aim to secure their playoff position, Suarez’s return will give Philadelphia their ace back and revitalize their rotation.
State of Phillies’ pitching rotation
While Suarez has been impressive, he isn’t the only pitcher dominating for the Phillies in 2024. Philadelphia is tied for second in the league with a 3.73 ERA. Their 1,062 strikeouts rank seventh, and their .237 batting average against is tied for 10th in the league.
Leave a Reply