All-Star lefty Suárez heads to IL with lower back soreness
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PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies manager Rob Thomson thinks Ranger Suárez’s lower back injury could be a long-term silver lining for both the left-hander and the team.
Time will tell.
On Saturday afternoon, the Phillies placed Suárez on the 15-day injured list because of soreness on the lower left side of his back. It is the second back issue he has suffered in the past few weeks. Suárez skipped his first National League All-Star appearance in Texas last week because of spasms on his right side. He rejoined the rotation on Monday in Minnesota and said he felt fine afterward. But he woke up Friday morning feeling “tightness,” as Thomson described it.
Suárez, who was unavailable to comment before Saturday night’s game against the Guardians, tried to push through the soreness during Friday’s bullpen session. He couldn’t.
“We’re going to be super cautious and give him a little rest,” Thomson said. “Over the course of a full season, guys typically need some time off. I think he’ll come out of this and he’ll be stronger coming down the stretch.”
Suárez can be activated from the IL as early as Aug. 7 in Los Angeles, but Thomson said the Phillies are hopeful he will rejoin the rotation for the series in Arizona from Aug. 8-11.
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Philadelphia promoted left-hander Kolby Allard from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Suárez’s place in the rotation. He will start Sunday afternoon’s series finale against Cleveland. Allard struggled earlier this season with the IronPigs, but in his first eight appearances since rejoining the team in early June, he is 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA.
But Suárez’s latest setback will further test the Phillies’ rotation depth, placing more importance on rookie right-hander Tyler Phillips, who started on Saturday.
Besides Suárez, Taijuan Walker (right index finger) and Spencer Turnbull (right lat) are on the IL.
Walker threw a live BP on Saturday. Thomson said it went well, mentioning an uptick in velocity, improved command and a better splitter. The skipper said Walker could throw another live BP on Wednesday. If it goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment.
Turnbull is playing catch from 90 feet. He could throw off a mound Monday. If he does, he could then head to Clearwater, Fla., to continue his rehab.