Not nearly 24 hours after Ranger Suarez had a 106.1 mph shot to his pitching hand, all indications are that the lefty will miss little, if any, time.
Rob Thomson, the Phillies’ manager, was pleased with the scenario following Saturday night’s game against the Cards. X-rays came back negative, medical personnel did not expect anything catastrophic, and Suarez knew he would be alright from the minute he was hit by the ball.
Thomson’s optimism remained unwavering as the series finale approached on Sunday night.
“A lot better, swelling is down,” he remarked. “We still don’t know about his next start, he won’t pick up a ball until maybe [Monday], probably the next day, but really, really encouraging.”
Suarez has been one of baseball’s top starters over the first two months of the season. He began last night’s game with a 9-1 record, tied for the most wins in the MLB. After retiring the six batters he faced before leaving the game, his ERA fell to 1.70, which was also the best in the league.
The Phillies will take an uncommon three days off during the next week owing to MLB’s London Series, in which the team will go abroad to face the Mets in a two-game series.
Suarez’s next start is scheduled for Saturday, the first of two games. There is no reason to be concerned if he is unable to go or if the Phillies elect to rest him once through the rotation out of caution.
After Suarez’s two innings and Jose Ruiz’s third, Mr. Reliable, Spencer Turnbull, pitched three scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
The Phillies are taking things day by day, but Turnbull is now ideally aligned with the rotation, should he has to step in and start.
Turnbull began six consecutive games in the rotation before going to the bullpen when Taijuan Walker returned. During that time, he went 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA with 36 strikeouts.
“Turnbull kinda lines right up,” Thomson remarked of the current situation. “If we know that Ranger can go that Saturday, then we may have Turnbull available Wednesday.”
Wednesday is the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, as well as the final game in the United States before the Phillies leave for Europe.
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