Ranger Suarez is set to make his season debut, as the Phillies reinstated the left-hander from the 15-day injured list. Suarez is slated to start tonight’s game against the Rockies. The corresponding move was made yesterday, when the Phillies optioned right-hander Luis Ortiz to Triple-A.
Left forearm tightness prematurely ended Suarez’s work with Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, and the southpaw ended up starting the season on the 15-day IL due to what was described as an elbow strain. While missing almost a month and a half of action is no small matter, it is at least good news that Suarez avoided any of the more serious and longer-term injuries that can arise from forearm and elbow issues. Suarez looked pretty sharp over three minor league rehab outings, allowing just one earned run over nine total innings pitched at Double-A and Triple-A.
After beginning his first three big league seasons as a reliever, Suarez had a breakout 2021 season while working out of both the rotation and the bullpen, posting a 1.36 ERA over 106 innings. Given a full-time role in Philadelphia’s rotation in 2022, Suarez posted a 3.65 ERA over 155 1/3 frames, capitalizing on a 55.4% grounder rate and some solid hard-contact numbers despite below-average strikeout and walk rates. Suarez then took things up another level during the Phillies’ playoff run, delivering an excellent 1.23 ERA over 14 2/3 postseason innings.
Technically, the Phillies didn’t miss much from Suarez’s absence, since Matt Strahm pitched well in fill-in capacity in the rotation. However, Strahm was moved back to the bullpen in advance of Suarez’s return, as the Phils have opted to continue using Bailey Falter as a starting pitcher. Falter has only a 5.75 ERA over 36 innings and seven starts this season, though he isn’t alone in struggling, as Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Taijuan Walker have all gotten off to varying degrees of slow starts.
Wow. Wow! WOW!
Wow-WOW-how-HOW-how-WOW!
Thank you!
still don’t know how those 3 runs last night were earned.
Are you talking about McMahon reaching on the wild pitch on strike three? That’s earned against the pitcher just like other WP results. Probably Stubbs should have blocked it, but they always score it a WP if it is in the dirt.
Moreso the Guthrie drop and Harrison missed throw. Neither of those are hits, and in both situations the lead runner moved up an extra base to where they should have.
Guthrie play would’ve been a great catch, so that’s a legitimate double IMO. The extra base on Harrison’s bad throw on the infield single was an error, but it didn’t make the run unearned because as the rest of the inning transpired the guy who got the extra base would have scored anyway without it.
Earned runs are somewhat of a dumb stat. Just because there is an error doesn’t excuse the bad pitching that follows. But obviously if the run(s) score on an error that is a different matter. But as far as (there should have already been 3 outs so the homer is unearned) goes, that’s dumb. What about all the times a good play saves runs? What’s the difference. Supposedly the baseball Gods even it out (unless they hate you).lol.
If the error gives the opposing team another out and that results in an rbi, it’s unearned no matter how the pitcher is pitching. What bothers me is when a player makes an error but the the official scorer calls it a hit because it’s the home team. That helps the fielder but hurts a pitcher’s ERA. It also happens a lot when an obvious passed ball is called a WP. The media should never be allowed to be official scorers.
Falter has only one more start before they plan to option him and call up Nick Nelson. Just have to wait the required 15 days after Nelson was optioned.
Falter is awful. His stuff doesn’t play in the mlb
It played last year? Maybe he needs to take a step back for a couple weeks?
Topper already said he’ll pitch his next outing, but won’t start.
They really don’t have many good options lying around. Maybe give Sanchez a 2nd start, other than that?
fffbbb suggested Nelson, but he’s a long reliever which makes no sense?
Would rather hear about Realmuto’s pinky finger…as Stubbs is penciled in tonight.
It played last year, really? The guy got the ball in playoffs and laid an egg. Also teams have a book on him now. Trust me he sucks
He’s a 5….That’s all, which means once in awhile he throws a 7ip 2er start, but mostly he’s a 5ip 3er guy.
5’s don’t pitch in the playoffs. I can agree his start was bad….
Most teams need 7-8 sp’s during the season. Falter fits in that realm, unsure why you are so against him. If you really are a Phillies fan….you should know there aren’t 2-3 guys beating down the door to MLB status…
That’s all man…
He sucks
He’s a 5th starter. He’s young. There’s some potential to become a solid backend of the rotation piece. He’s definitely not there yet. He’s been struggling, but he’s the best option right now, and he has plenty of time to improve. It’s not like Nelson is great either.
There are multiple NL pitchers named R. Suarez, but he is the Lone Ranger.
Hi-Ho Silver Away:
In 2013, the truth about Silver’s fate was finally revealed. It turns out that the horse that portrayed Silver in the television show had been sold to a riding school after the show ended. His name was actually Hi-Yo Silver and he lived a long and happy life, passing away at the age of 33. His legacy as the faithful equine companion of the Lone Ranger lives on, bringing comfort to fans (& PETA) who had long wondered what had happened to him.
I saw him the other day while I was gluing my kids toys back together.
But honestly, I had no idea. This was a pretty interesting tidbit that I didn’t expect to discover here.
Honestly I’d rather let Strahm stay in the rotation and send Falter down when Nelson is ready. Falter isn’t big league rotation yet. He could be eventually but it’s just not the time to keep pressing that button.
Under no circumstances do I want Nelson starting for the big club. He sucked in that role for the Yankees and was barely passable as a RP last year.
Unfortunately what you want doesn’t matter. Team decisions aren’t made to please you….
Baseball is a for-profit entertainment entity. I would hope at least some of a team’s decisions are to please the fans.
Darkside, to clarify, I don’t want Nelson to start either and I hope he doesn’t but we need to get creative for the short time until Painter is ready. I meant to say Nelson in the pen. Strahm can piggyback starts in the 5 spot until the kid is healthy.
bruce………etc
Please check out Strahm’s last few seasons. He is NOT ready/built/stretched out/up for a rotation spot. Best bet he pitches 70-80ips…and he gets ready for ’24.
Nelson as a MLB sp? He’s not stretched out either, nor will he be good in that role..
Phillies have limited options for mlb ready sp’s.
Falter did ok last year, but remember he was the odd man out if Painter was ready…
If Nelson isn’t stretched out, maybe the Phil’s could turn to Reed Richards.
Remember when the shredder on MLB network had him a top 10 pitcher. He’s not even a top ten pitcher on that staff
Falter has got to go. Literally anyone else please !
Phillies look like they made a mistake with Trea Turner in salary. Instead they should have gone for pitching.