Phillies Would Be Wise to Take It Slowly With Star Pitcher Ranger Suárez

By Andy Jasner,

2023-03-19

The Philadelphia Phillies should carefully bring starter Ranger Suárez along as he recovers from a forearm strain.

Ranger Suárez had a successful throwing session on Sunday.

It went so well that it put Suárez on track to be in the rotation when the 2023 regular season begins for the Philadelphia Phillies .

That’s obviously great news.

But the Phillies should also be careful.

Suárez had to vacate Team Venezuela early in the World Baseball Classic because of forearm tightness.

Even if Suárez is 100 percent healthy, the Phillies must be careful with his usage. They don’t want any setbacks.

To push Suarez early in the season would make no sense.

He’s too valuable to the long-term success of the Phillies.

Even if it takes a month or longer to build up Suárez’s arm strength, they need to do it. Patience is key.

After Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, Suárez emerged as a legitimate standout last season and through the postseason run to the World Series.

He wasn’t nominated for a Gold Glove because he came just short of the amount of innings pitched to qualify.

In the regular season, Suárez went 10-7 with a 3.65 ERA.

In the playoffs, he went 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and one huge save in the National League Championship Series.

Since Suárez is available to excel in any role, he’s extra valuable.

But he’ll be more valuable as a reliable starter.

How the Phillies handle the first month of the regular season will be vital in terms of Suárez’s success this season.

In other words, just go slow.

There’s no rush.

The goal is the postseason and ultimately a World Series title.

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