Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez is one step closer to returning to the Big Leagues. The left-hander scattered four hits and one run on Sunday to lead the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to an 8-4 victory over the Syracuse Mets in International League play.
Suarez, who was expected to pitch four innings and around 65 pitches, earned the “W” after throwing a mere 48-pitches in the aforementioned five frames. He touched around 94 MPH with excellent command. Suarez will likely start for the Phillies next weekend against the Colorado Rockies, per multiple reports.
Suarez has been out of action since early March when he left the Venezuelan National Team during the World Baseball Classic due to forearm tendonitis. It seemed as though the Phillies would have the lefty for the beginning of the season, however another setback on March 22 has prolonged Suarez’s 2023 debut.
For the Phillies, the return of Suarez couldn’t come at a better time.
The Phillies starters have been scuffling over the past week-plus with an ERA of around 9.00 and four-plus runs per game during the Phils’ six-game skid. The return of Suarez will also allow the Phillies more flexibility in the bullpen, as seen in Sunday’s victory over Boston when Matt Strahm earned a two-inning save.
The Phillies expect to make the move official later this week.
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