Ranger Suarez, who is in his sixth season with the Philadelphia Phillies, has been a consistent starting pitcher. The 30-year-old left-hander has followed up on his breakout season in 2024, which earned him his first career All-Star selection, with another great season.
In 26 starts, Suarez has a 3.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 12-7 record, and 151 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings thrown. Suarez has one of the league’s slowest fastballs but does an excellent job of limiting heavy contact with his deadly breaking throws. He is due to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, and with Zack Wheeler’s return unknown, Philadelphia’s management office must do everything they can to keep Suarez.
Suarez was not his usual self in Saturday’s start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing nine total hits and three runs in only 4 1/3 innings of work. Regardless, with the Phillies already locked in a top-two seed, the game has minimal significance and is primarily about Suarez getting one more start before the NLDS.
Unfortunately, the Phillies left-handed pitcher exited the game early with trainers after getting hit by a comebacker. Suarez was spotted smiling at his early exit and walking away on his own, implying that it was only precautionary and that the discomfort was minor.
Still, the Phillies will take it seriously, given his availability is critical in the postseason, and the organization issued an update shortly later. “Ranger Suárez was evacuated due to a left inner thigh bruise. “He will be evaluated further, the Phillies say,” reported Tim Kelly of On Pattison.
Suarez’s future condition, as well as any following updates, will be closely observed. If further investigation reveals any damage, the Phillies rotation will be significantly weakened. Suarez will play a significant part in the postseason, as manager Rob Thomson must decide whether to start Game 1, 2, or 3 of the NLDS.
Suarez has been a part of several long postseason runs over his eight-year stay in Philadelphia, where he made his MLB debut in 2018.