The Philadelphia Phillies now know exactly when they will face a familiar and beloved face, as former All-Star Ranger Suarez is set to return from a minor injury scare to start against his old club.
According to multiple reports, Suarez, who left his last outing on May 3rd with right hamstring tightness, will officially take the ball on Thursday when the Boston Red Sox host the Phillies at Fenway Park . The veteran left-hander avoided a trip to the injured list, getting an extended 10-day rest to ensure he was ready for this high-profile reunion .
The Injury Setback
The update comes as a relief for the Red Sox, who have been navigating a rotation ravaged by injuries. Suarez exited his start against the Houston Astros after four shutout innings and just 70 pitches . While the team initially feared the worst for a pitcher who signed a massive five-year, $130 million deal this past winter, interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that imaging was not required and the issue was minor .
“It was just tightness,” Suarez said following the scare, noting he had pitched through similar issues before. “I feel good, and I’ll be ready.”
A Tale of Two Seasons
The matchup carries significant weight for both the player and the franchise. Suarez, who spent eight years in Philadelphia and was a cornerstone of their 2022 National League pennant run, has been nothing short of dominant when healthy this season. Despite a rough first two outings, he enters Thursday’s start with a stellar 2.77 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP across 39 innings .
However, his departure from Philly left a complex legacy. While fans adored his stoic demeanor and historic 1.48 ERA in the postseason, MLB.com noted that the Phillies were “never going to re-sign him” . The organization prioritized re-signing Kyle Schwarber and the pitching staff’s overall depth over securing the lefty, allowing Boston to swoop in .
The Red Sox Rotation Picture
For Boston, Suarez’s quick return solidifies a rotation that is starting to click. While Garrett Crochet remains sidelined, the Red Sox are seeing a major payoff from their young arms, including lefties Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, who have stepped up in Suarez’s absence . The organization now boasts a deep rotation of left-handers, with Suarez serving as the veteran anchor .
Boston’s interim manager Chad Tracy laid out the plan clearly: “He’ll start sometime in the Philly series… we are giving him a few extra days to make sure he’s 100%.” .
What to Watch For
When Suarez takes the mound on Thursday, he will face a Phillies lineup that is performing as well as any in baseball. While he knows the hitters intimately perhaps too intimately the Phillies have been crushing southpaws this year.
For Philadelphia, the game is a business trip. For Suarez, it is a moment of closure. Despite the front office letting him walk, the veteran has fond memories of his time in red pinstripes, including recording the final out of the 2022 NLCS . Fans in Boston are expected to give him a warm reception, while Phillies fans watching from afar will likely tip their cap to a pitcher who helped drag the franchise out of a decade-long rebuild.
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