Good News for Fenway
The Red Sox get their All-Star lefty back in the rotation for Sunday. Interim manager Chad Tracy announced this news before Saturday’s game. On July 5 during his start, Ranger Suarez sustained a left groin strain.. Just one day prior to that injury, he earned All-Star honors for the second time in his career.. The plan was for him to return several days ago. An untimely illness delayed his return to the mound.
Suarez threw a side session on Friday to test his body. He had not eaten much for two days due to sickness. Tracy said the sickness part is a lot better now. They will see how he feels before making a final call. Sunday is an option, but they do not have to commit yet. Tracy noted they still have Payton Tolle lined up if needed.
“When we talked about it coming out of it, it’s like, first of all, if we can get Ranger the days he needs, but also sliding him behind [Patrick Sandoval] and [Sonny] Gray, not disrupting him,” said Tracy. “You get the other two guys [Tolle and Jake Bennett] a little bit extra break, which is good for them, too.”.”
Rotation Depth and Stats
Suarez has made 17 starts this season with a 4-3 record. His ERA sits at 3.15 across 91 1/3 innings. That is solid work for a top pitcher. The team has been without both Suarez and Connelly Early for a while. He last pitched on June 30 early last before being shut down with left elbow inflammation.. Despite these losses, the Red Sox are 16-2 during that stretch.
Tracy admitted this would have been the end of the streak if scripted before. But guys stepped up to fill the gap. Tolle has been great all year. Jake Bennett came in and did great work. Earlier this month, Patrick Sandoval came back from Tommy John surgery.. He started Friday night against Toronto. The Sox added an arm right when some of these injuries started.
“We’ve navigated a couple bullpen-type games, and some of them, we’ve done very well,” said Tracy. “So the pitching’s done a fantastic job navigating what I guess you could call rough waters here.”. It is important that we are starting to see some guys move towards health..”
Early also threw a one-inning bullpen session on Friday. He will throw another one mid-week. Following that, he might be prepared for live batting practice.. Maybe he will take a Minor League rehab assignment soon. Early is 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 17 starts this season. He covers 91 2/3 innings. Two key lefties are getting healthy at the same time.
What This Means for the Team
This is huge for the Red Sox pitching staff. Having Suarez back stabilizes the rotation immediately. He is a guy who can eat innings and keep runs off the board. The team played well without him, but they need him for the playoff push. A 16-2 run is amazing, but it is not sustainable forever without top arms. Tracy knows the value of getting guys back on schedule.
The timing allows rookie Payton Tolle to get extra rest. Tolle will start a four-game series against the Athletics in West Sacramento on Monday night. Six days of rest is a luxury for a young pitcher. This shows the front office is thinking ahead. They want everyone fresh for the long haul. Brayan Bello has also done a nice job out of the bullpen. He topped out at 98.4 mph on Wednesday.
Tracy said you have to be open to both roles for Bello. He has done tremendous work in long relief. But the team still needs starting pitching depth. They cannot ignore the job he has done coming out of the pen. The conversations are ongoing about where his best spot is. For now, getting Suarez and Early back is the main goal.
Fenway faithful should be excited. The rotation looks much stronger heading into August. The Red Sox have navigated rough waters and came out on top. Now they get their stars back. That is a recipe for a serious run. Watch Sunday’s start closely. It could be the spark the offense needs too.
