Phillies’ Ranger Suarez to undergo rehab assignment, nearing return
The Phillies made the first regular-season adjustment to their rotation Saturday, activating lefthander Cristopher Sanchez from the injured list to start against the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.
Last weeks rainout-forced doubleheader in Chicago created the need for a sixth starter.
The more significant pitching development, however, may have happened about three hours before Sanchez made his first pitch of what turned out to be a 4-3 Phillies win.
Thats when Ranger Suarez threw pregame live batting practice to Bryce Harper and Christian Pache, and as long as he doesnt have any day-after setbacks will almost certainly begin a rehab assignment within the next few days.
He looked good. Fastball was good. Velocity was good. Stuff was good. Threw strikes, said manager Rob Thomson.
The 27-year-old lefthander, coming off his first full season as a starter, has been on the injured list with a strained elbow since spring training. Hes expected to make three or four rehab starts while building up to around 90 pitches.
I feel that Im very close. I feel ready, but well see what they say, Suarez said through interpreter Diego Ettedgui. I felt better than the last time. So that means Im on the right track. The most important thing is to be healthy, and I think the more innings I throw the better its going to be for me. Because Ill be more ready.
In the meantime, Sanchez gave up three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five.
He gave us exactly what we needed, Thomson said. I thought he was great. I think his stuff is trending up. Hes throwing strikes. Sinker is good. Started throwing the slider for strikes. Poise. Composure.
Well, Sanchez also survived a fair amount of hard contact. But he showed enough to be on the teams radar the next time a pitcher is needed.
I felt very good, Sanchez said through interpreter Diego Ettedgui. We wanted to attack hitters early and go out there and compete.
To make room for Sanchez on the roster, reliever Andrew Bellatti was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 21, with right triceps tendinitis. Hes struggled since opening the season with six straight scoreless appearances.
They dont think its much at all, really, Thomson said. They just want to knock it out. Make sure hes healthy.
The Phillies are expected to announce another roster move, possibly to send Sanchez to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he can continue to build arm strength
In other pitching news, Craig Kimbrel was brought in to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning instead of Jose Alvarado (0.96 ERA), who has gotten the bulk of the save opportunities so far this year. Thomson said Alvarado, who had pitched in three of the previous four games, was unavailable.
