Ranger Suarez looks ‘outstanding’ in bullpen session, other Phillies pitchers mending
Several Phillies pitchers are continuing to progress toward returning from injury.
Ranger Suarez, sidelined by an elbow injury for about a month, threw another bullpen session Tuesday, his third since opening weekend. He threw 35 pitches, used his entire repertoire, and the reports Rob Thomson received were “outstanding.”
“Very good,” the Phillies’ manager said. “We’re going to decide (his next step) probably tomorrow after he comes in and we see how he’s doing, whether it’s batting practice. We’ll figure that out.”
Suarez will require a minor-league rehab assignment because he hasn’t pitched in a live game since a March 8 start for Venezuela against the Houston Astros.
The 27-year-old lefty was in good spirits in the Phillies’ clubhouse prior to Tuesday’s game against the Marlins and concurred that the bullpen session went well.
Fellow left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, who had been sidelined for most of spring training and the first week of the season by a triceps injury, started Tuesday for Triple A Lehigh Valley and allowed one hit over four scoreless innings with six strikeouts. His fastball was 91-94 mph.
The Phillies plan to continue starting Sanchez at Triple A unless a need for him as a starter or long reliever arises in the majors. He entered camp seventh or eighth on the Phillies’ depth chart of starting pitchers.
Nick Nelson, the Phillies’ long reliever last season, will pitch extended spring training games Thursday and Saturday. He has been on the IL with a hamstring injury.
There was no official update on Andrew Painter, who is rehabbing a right elbow injury and is on the minor-league 60-day injured list. He made just one spring training start before suffering the injury and will be built back up slowly, potentially helping the Phillies by midsummer if things go well.