As all Philadelphia Phillies fans are now aware, the team will be without José Alvarado for 80 games, including the postseason. This leaves the bullpen with just two left-handed options: Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks.
While much of the focus is on who will rise to the occasion in the current bullpen or who the Phillies might acquire via trade, the team appears to be overlooking an internal solution that’s already on the roster—Ranger Suárez.
According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies have no plans to move Suárez to the bullpen.
Why Ranger Suárez Should Be the Phillies’ Bullpen Fix
The Phillies lack depth in the bullpen, particularly among left-handers, whereas their starting rotation is one of their strengths this season. That depth only improved over the weekend with a strong showing from Mick Abel.
Suárez, a longtime fan favorite, began his career as a reliever before transitioning to the starting rotation. He’s no stranger to the bullpen and performed exceptionally well in that role, making 68 relief appearances between 2018 and 2021.
In 2021, Suárez posted a remarkable 1.12 ERA over 40 1/3 innings in relief. His only full season as a reliever came in 2019, when he had a 3.14 ERA in 48 2/3 innings across 37 games. During the Phillies’ 2022 postseason run, he also pitched in relief twice, including securing the save in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Padres to punch the team’s ticket to the World Series.
This is Suárez’s final year under contract, which ends after this season. With the recent trade for Jesús Luzardo, the potential rise of Mick Abel, and the anticipation around Andrew Painter, Suárez may be nearing the end of his time in Philadelphia. Reassigning him to the bullpen could help both in the short term and potentially extend his stay with the club. With Alvarado’s future uncertain—his contract includes a club option for 2026—Suárez could serve as both an immediate and long-term replacement if he’s open to the change.
The Phillies’ decision not to even explore this option is puzzling. Suárez has demonstrated his commitment to the team and city, willingly shifting roles in the past. Moving him back to the bullpen might also help manage his workload and lingering back issues that have affected him in recent seasons.
Now, with Alvarado’s suspension creating a significant hole, the Phillies should capitalize on their surplus of starting pitching. Deploying Suárez in relief would bolster a weak spot and deepen the team’s roster—at least until they can make a trade to further strengthen the bullpen.