Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez suffered a setback with inflammation in his left arm. The same inflammation that forced him to leave Team Venezuela and the World Baseball Classic.
Losing Ranger Suarez is a big hit for the Phils
Suarez is currently 26 and will turn 27 in August 2023. He was one of the Phillies’ most reliable pitchers in 2023, posting a 10-7 record with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts. Suarez also went 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
Oh yeah, he also recorded the biggest save of his life- going two-thirds of an inning in game 5 of the National League Championship Series to close out the Padres and help the Phillies clinch their first National League Pennant since 2009.
According to multiple reports, Ranger Suarez went for an MRI on Wednesday which revealed no structural damage, but he will not be ready for Opening Day. Suarez is just another name on the growing list of Phillies Pitchers with injury problems. Players such as Nick Nelson, Christopher Sanchez, and top prospect Andrew Painter fill out the rest of that list.
With Opening Day just about a week away, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Taijuan Walker, and Bailey Falter pretty much locked into the Phillies rotation. Manager Rob Thompson said they will continue to stretch out lefty reliever Matt Strahm to start games in Suarez’s absence.
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