Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) is not expected to return before the end of April, according to Jeff Kerr of CBS News. Manager Rob Thompson noted that the southpaw still needs "at least" more than one rehab outing to continue to build his pitch count. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, but it appears the southpaw will not be in contention to return to action till at least May. So far, the 29-year-old has logged seven rehab innings (across two outings) and held a strong 1.29 with a 0.70 WHIP. He has posted a near-perfect 11:1 K:BB. When Suarez does eventually return to Philadelphia, he will likely push Taijuan Walker to the bullpen. Last summer, Suarez was effective when on the bump, holding a 3.46 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) was effective on the mound during his rehab start with High-A Clearwater on Thursday. The left-hander tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, and striking out four batters. This was the first appearance for Suarez since he landed on the injured list due to a lower back issue. Luckily, it doesn't sound like Suarez is going to need too many more rehab outings before rejoining the big league club. The hope is that Suarez can return to the starting rotation by the end of the April. Fantasy managers looking for pitching help might want to consider stashing Suarez.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) will start a minor-league rehab assignment and will pitch three innings for Low-A Clearwater on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb. It will be Suarez's first game action since he was shut down in mid-March in spring training with lower-back stiffness. The 29-year-old southpaw will need at least several more rehab starts on the farm before he's a candidate to make his 2025 regular season debut in the big leagues, which will likely come in early May. The Venezuelan hurler also missed extensive time in 2024 with a back injury and wasn't as sharp when he returned, but he still finished with a serviceable 3.46 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 145:41 K:BB in 150 2/3 innings over his 27 starts. When healthy, Suarez is worth rostering in all fantasy leagues as a ground-ball pitcher, but his below-average 21.8% strikeout rate leaves little in the way of upside.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Saturday in Clearwater, Florida, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. It's a big step for Suarez, as it will be his first time facing live hitters since he was shut down with lower-back stiffness in spring training camp in the middle of March. If the 29-year-old southpaw is able to avoid a setback with his back this weekend, the Phillies will likely clear him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Suarez will likely need several rehab starts, which means he could rejoin Philadelphia's big-league starting rotation and make his season debut by the end of April. He missed around a month in 2024 with the same injury and wasn't the same pitcher the rest of the way after posting a 1.75 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in his first 15 starts. Suarez is a ground-ball pitcher that lacks a ton of fantasy upside with a below-average career strikeout rate.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) could face live hitters by the end of this week. His recovery from back stiffness seems to be going well, with the next step after batting practice likely to be a minor-league rehab assignment. If all goes well, he should be able to return by the end of April. He'll be looking to build on his breakout 2024 season, where he posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 150 innings. Once healthy, he will most likely take Taijuan Walker's spot in the rotation.

Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) completed a successful 26-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Corey Seidman of NBC Philly reported that the southpaw still has several steps before he's ready to embark on a rehab assignment. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but this appears to be a strong start for Suarez as he slowly increases his workload. The Phillies placed Suarez on the 15-day IL due to lower-back stiffness. If the 29-year-old does not face any setbacks, he would be eligible to return later in April. Last season, Suarez posted a 3.46 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 150 2/3 innings of work. When the 29-year-old is cleared to return, he will likely replace Taijuan Walker in the starting rotation.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) stayed back in Clearwater, Fla., to start the regular season but is scheduled to get back on the mound for a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. The Phillies officially placed Suarez on the 15-day injured list on Thursday to start the year due to lower-back stiffness that he started dealing with in mid-March. The 29-year-old southpaw could be able to make his 2025 season debut in late April as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks on an eventual minor-league rehab start. Until then, veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker will occupy a rotation spot in Philadelphia, although he's really only worth using in fantasy lineups in NL-only leagues after an awful 2024 season. When Suarez does return, fantasy managers shouldn't expect another repeat of his strong opening couple months from a year ago.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that if things continue to progress, that left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) "would pitch sometime in April." "You're talking three weeks or something at least." Suarez, who will begin the 2025 season on the injured list, will need to be built back up again, so if he does make his season debut in April, it will most likely come later in the month. With Suarez out, veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker will open as the No. 5 starter for the Phils. The 29-year-old Suarez got off to a fantastic start in 2024 before fading in his final 12 starts while also dealing with a similar back injury. He gets plenty of ground balls, but he's a soft-tosser that lacks strikeout upside to begin with, so he's taking quite the tumble in fantasy draft rankings with Opening Day just a few days away now that we know he's starting on the IL.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) will head to the injured list to start the season, said manager Rob Thomson. Taijuan Walker will fill in as the fifth starter in the meantime. Suarez has recently dealt with back stiffness, and while it doesn't seem to be a serious injury, it will hold him off of the Opening Day roster. He enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign, posting a 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 145 strikeouts in 150 innings. He did a great job at limiting hard contact, allowing a 5.1% barrel rate (88th percentile) and 53.2% ground ball rate (90th percentile). He should be a useful fantasy option for the back end of rotations following his return from the injured list.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) played catchon Saturday as he recovers from a sore lower back. Manager Rob Thomson indicated that Suarez was feeling better but did not provide any details as to when the southpaw will make his next start, although he said that decision will likely be made in the next 48 hours. At this point, it sounds like an IL stint to begin the season won't be necessary, but fantasy managers will want to monitor his status over the next few days in the event it takes a turn for the worse. The 29-year-old made two appearances this spring, allowing one earned run on two hits and no walks while striking out four over five innings. The Venezuelan was terrific to begin last season but faded late, finishing with a 3.46 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 16.6 percent K-BB%. The lefty should be a solid rotation piece for fantasy, but last season may very well have been his peak, and withthis injury that could pop up again later, make sure not to overpay.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) "felt a lot better today" and will play catch in camp on Friday. Suarez had tests done on his ailing back this week, but the 29-year-old southpaw has been cleared to resume playing catch on Friday and will hopefully be able to avoid being placed on the injured list to start the 2025 regular season. It's something to watch early on in the season after Suarez dealt with back issues last year as well. Suarez was one of the best pitchers in baseball early on in 2024, but things fell apart for him and he finished with a 6.17 ERA in his final 12 starts before and after his back injury. While his back injury this spring may not be as bad as what he dealt with last year, it should make fantasy managers hesitant. Even if his back injury doesn't affect him at all, we wouldn't bank on Suarez being as good as he was early on in 2024.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) is dealing with what the team is calling mild back stiffness and will not make his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The good news is Suarez's injury isn't believed to be as bad as last year's injury, according to manager Rob Thomson. However, the 29-year-old southpaw's availability for the start of the regular season next week is now in question. Suarez pitched in an intrasquad game last Saturday and felt soreness in his back on Sunday. We should have a better read on his status for Opening Day next week, but fantasy managers have a right to be worried after Suarez missed more than a month with a back injury in 2024. If Suarez requires a stint on the injured list to begin the season, the most likely option to take his starting rotation spot would be veteran right-hander Joe Ross.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced on Monday that left-hander Ranger Suarez will start Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival New York Mets on Wednesday at Citi Field. Suarez was among the best pitchers in baseball in the first half of the season, but the second half wasn't as kind with him as he dealt with a back injury and wasn't as effective down the stretch. It makes the 29-year-old southpaw a bit more risky in DFS action this week on the road at Citi Field. The Venezuelan hurler faced the Mets three times this year, with two of his outings against them coming in the first half, when he allowed a combined four runs (two earned) in 10 2/3 innings while walking three and striking out nine. In his last start against the Mets on Sept. 21 at Citi Field, Suarez picked up a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in five innings while walking three and striking out four. He had a 5.74 ERA with 29 K's and 14 walks in his final seven starts.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old was a solid middle-of-the-rotation option before this season, but he has shown he's capable of being an ace pitcher. On Thursday, Suarez threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out four in the win. The left-hander has struggled at times during the second half of the season, but this was a promising outing. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Tampa Bay Rays during his next time out.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) is scheduled to come off the injured list on Saturday. The left-hander will take the ball against the Kansas City Royals after missing a few weeks due to lower-back soreness. The 28-year-old is in the middle of a breakout campaign, so his return is a welcomed sight for Philly. This season, Suarez holds a 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 116/27 K/BB across 20 starts with the Phillies. He'll get a tough matchup against Kansas City, but fantasy managers should activate Suarez and consider him a must-start option.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) threw a simulated game on Tuesday and will face live hitters again on Sunday, either in another simulated game or at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for a minor-league rehab start. It puts Suarez in line to pitch sometime during the team's series against the Kansas City Royals from Aug. 23-25. The 28-year-old All-Star has been away from the Phillies since going on the injured list in late July with lower-back soreness, but he's nearing his return to the starting rotation. Suarez didn't quite look like himself in his last couple of starts, but hopefully with his back issues behind him, he can return to the lights-out pitcher he was earlier this season for the stretch run. The Venezuelan southpaw needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. He was a first-time All-Star and has gone 10-5 in 2024 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 116 K's in 119 1/3 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) threw off the mound on Sunday in Arizona ahead of the series finale against the Diamondbacks. It follows his two-inning simulated game on Thursday, when he threw 36 pitches, and he's expected to toss an extended live batting practice session on Tuesday. Suarez's return date has not yet been determined, but manager Rob Thomson said that it will likely come after Philadelphia's six-game homestand that runs from Tuesday through Sunday. The 28-year-old first-time All-Star is working his way back from lower-back soreness, and it sounds like a minor-league rehab start might be necessary here as well. Over 119 1/3 innings for the Phillies this year, Suarez holds an excellent 2.87 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and 27 walks.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) threw a 36-pitch bullpen session on Thursday that manager Rob Thomson said went "extremely well." The next step for Suarez is live batting practice, and a minor-league rehab assignment is also on the table. Thomson doesn't think Suarez will be ready to return during the team's next homestand, which runs from Tuesday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 18. The 28-year-old All-Star southpaw is trying to return from lower-back soreness that has kept him on the 15-day injured list since July 27. While his return isn't exactly on the horizon, fantasy managers need to keep him stashed in all fantasy leagues. When Suarez does come off the IL, he'll return to a 10-5 record, 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 116:27 K:BB in 119 1/3 frames over his 20 starts. His last four starts haven't been great, though, as he posted a 7.71 ERA with 18 earned runs allowed in 21 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) threw a successful bullpen session ahead of Monday's game in Los Angeles against the hosting Dodgers. Manager Rob Thomson said last week that Suarez might have a chance to rejoin the rotation in Arizona for the weekend series that begins on Friday against the Diamondbacks, but that remains unlikely. A more likely outcome for a return, however, is during the team's next homestand that begins next Tuesday against the visiting division-rival Miami Marlins. Suarez woke up on July 26 feeling lower-back soreness and tried to fight through it during his bullpen session that day before the Phillies put him on the injured list. The 28-year-old first-time All-Star owns a 2.87 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and 27 walks over 119 1/3 innings in Philadelphia this year.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) could return rather quickly from the 15-day injured list. Phillies skipper Rob Thompson is hopeful that the southpaw could return to the mound when the Phillies face the Arizona Diamondbacks from August 8-11. This is a great sign, as the 28-year-old could come off the IL as early as August 7. Suarez was placed on the injured list on July 27 due to lower back tightness. Prior to the injury, he was enjoying a nice breakout season, boasting a strong 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 27:116 BB:K ratio. He generated ground balls at an elite 53.5% mark and limited hard contact at a 36.1% rate, which are both significantly above the average rates. Fantasy managers could expect Suarez back on the bump as early as next week, which could force 26-year-old Kolby Allard to a long-relief role or back to the minor leagues.