May 10, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) looks on against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Sam Navarro
Ranger Suárez is going to open the 2025 season on the injured list, with Taijuan Walker serving as the No. 5 starter for the Phillies.
Rob Thomson said this on the MLB.com broadcast of Sunday's Grapefruit League game between the Phillies and Detroit Tigers:
Rob Thomson said on the TV broadcast that Ranger Suárez will start the season on the IL.
Taijuan Walker will be the No. 5 starter. He will start the sixth game of the season.
Thomson revealed Wednesday that Suárez was dealing with back stiffness:
Rob Thomson discussing Ranger Suárez’s back injury.
“The next 24-48 hours will tell us a lot.” pic.twitter.com/GEnFJe115a
Suárez had a good day Thursday, as noted by Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Rob Thomson said Ranger Suárez (stiff back) "felt a lot better today," and he will play catch tomorrow.
However, it at least seems worth pointing out that Suárez did not play catch Friday, but instead Saturday. It's unclear if that was related to how he may have been feeling Friday.
In any event, it's a concerning development for Suárez, even if this proves to be a short stint on the injured list. The 29-year-old is in a contract year, and this is now the third time in four seasons that he'll spend time on the IL with a back injury.
Meanwhile, Walker will be the No. 5 starter at least for the first turn through the rotation. Thomson suggested on Friday's telecast that the way the off days go, the fifth starter wouldn't pitch until the sixth game of the season, a matinee against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, April 3:
- Opening Day 3/27 vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park: Zack Wheeler
- 3/29 vs. Nationals at Nationals Park: Jesús Luzardo
- 3/30 vs. Nationals at Nationals Park: Aaron Nola
- Home Opener 3/31 vs. Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park: Cristopher Sánchez
- 4/2 vs. Rockies at Citizens Bank Park: Zack Wheeler
-4/3 vs. Rockies at Citizens Bank Park: No. 5 starter
The vibes around Walker for much of the spring were positive, as he was consistently hitting 93 mph on his fastball, as opposed to a 91.5 mph average during a disastrous 2024 season. However, a lot of that good will was undone when Walker gave up three home runs and allowed six earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in his most recent start against the New York Yankees on March 19. As he enters the third season of a four-year/$72 million deal, Walker will nonetheless get the first crack at the last spot in the rotation with Suárez out.
