Suarez (10-1) earned the win Saturday over the Mets in London, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
It wasn't Suarez's most dominant outing (the eight hits allowed were a season high), though he managed to limit the damage en route to his league-leading 10th win. It's encouraging to see Suarez make a successful return to the mound after he was struck in the pitching hand by a line drive in his last start, forcing him out of the game after two innings. Overall, the 28-year-old southpaw sports a pristine 1.81 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 85:17 K:BB across 79.2 innings this year. Suarez is currently lined up to face the Orioles on the road in his next outing.
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Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Cleared to start Saturday
Rotowire
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Suarez (thumb) has been cleared to start Saturday's game against the Mets in London, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "I think so," Thomson said ,when asked if Suarez would make his next scheduled start. "It looks like it. I believe we can line him up."
Suarez didn't throw a bullpen session Wednesday like Thomson intimated would be the case Tuesday, but the southpaw played catch for the second day in a row and appears to be feeling fine. He'll throw a light bullpen session Friday, but the Phillies are seemingly already banking on Suarez being available without restriction for the first of two games in London, with Taijuan Walker set to take the hill for the Sunday contest. Suarez was removed from his most recent start this past Saturday against the Cardinals after taking a comebacker to his left thumb. He avoided any structural damage to the thumb and merely dealt with some light swelling, which has since subsided.
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Phillies' Ranger Suarez: In line to start Saturday
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Suarez (hand) is in line to start Saturday versus the Mets in London after playing catch again Wednesday, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.
Suarez had been slated to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, but he instead played catch for the second straight day. The change of plans doesn't appear to have resulted in him being pushed back in the Phillies' pitching schedule, as the southpaw remains on track to make his next start this weekend. Suarez exited his most recent outing Saturday against the Cardinals after being hit on the left hand by a comebacker.
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Still on track for London start
Rotowire
Suarez (hand) played catch without any apparent issues Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
He gave a thumbs-up to reporters afterward, and Phillies manager Rob Thomson was similarly upbeat about how Suarez checked out during Tuesday's workout. Suarez will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and assuming that goes well, he's expected to be cleared to start against the Mets this weekend in London. The lefty departed his last outing Saturday versus the Cardinals after being struck on the pitching hand by a comebacker.
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Set for bullpen session Wednesday
Rotowire
Manager Rob Thomson said Monday that Suarez (hand) will play catch Tuesday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the Phillies decide on the left-hander's next step, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Suarez was forced out after just two innings in his most recent start against the Cardinals on Saturday, when he took a 106.1 mile-per-hour line drive off his pitching hand. X-rays cleared Suarez of any structural damage, but he's still dealing with some bruising and swelling that could present some difficulty for the southpaw in commanding his full arsenal. The upcoming bullpen session will represent an important test for Suarez in showing the Phillies' coaching and training staffs that the injury won't affect his pitching. At this stage, Thomson said that Suarez remains in play for his next turn through the rotation, which falls during the Phillies' two-game series with the Mets in London this weekend.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that the swelling in Suarez's hand has improved significantly, and the left-hander could pick up a ball in the next day or two, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The 28-year-old was struck in the left hand by a comebacker during Saturday's start against the Cardinals, but he's had X-rays come back negative and already appears to be progressing in his recovery. It remains to be seen if Suarez will be cleared for his next turn through the rotation, but he's certainly trending in the right direction. The Phillies also have three scheduled days off surrounding next weekend's two-game series versus the Mets in London, so the club could give Suarez some extra time between outings without needing an additional starter.
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: X-rays clean, unsure for next start
Rotowire
Suarez's (hand) X-rays came back negative Saturday but there's swelling in his left thumb and it's unclear if he'll be able to make his next scheduled start, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Fantasy managers can take a deep breath knowing that Suarez avoided significant injury after being hit by a comebacker during his start Saturday. While it's uncertain at this point if Suarez will recover in time for his next start -- which is tentatively scheduled for June 8 -- the 29-year-old is expected to avoid the injured list after Saturday's scare. He's been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, boasting a 9-1 record with a 1.70 ERA across 74.0 innings.
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Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Hit by comebacker
Rotowire
Suarez was removed from Saturday's game against the Cardinals with a left hand contusion after being struck by a 106.1 MPH comebacker in the second inning, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Suarez didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two hitters over two innings.
Early reports indicate that Suarez is only dealing with a bruised throwing hand after being hit by a comebacker off the bat of Alec Burleson. After Suarez's two perfect innings, Jose Ruiz will take over on the mound. The Phillies will likely continue to evaluate Suarez throughout the evening to ensure that the injury is merely a contusion and nothing long term. Thankfully for Suarez managers, the Phillies have back-to-back days off next week and the ace's next start is scheduled for June 8.
Suarez (9-1) yielded five runs (four earned) on three hits and four walks over six innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking a loss against the Rockies.
Colorado pounced on Suarez early, plating two runs in the first inning and another three in the second. He was able to settle in for four shutout frames to finish the start, but the damage was already done. It was the first time this season he's issued more than two walks or allowed more than three runs. On a more positive note, Suarez generated a season-high 19 whiffs and improved his K:BB to 77:16 through 72 frames. He'll carry a 1.75 ERA into his next matchup, which is lined up to be at home against the Cardinals.
