Red Sox’ Ranger Suarez leaves game with injury
Article excerpt
Another injury has hit the Red Sox starting rotation, the second in the last week.
ANAHEIM, Calif., For the second time in less than a week, the Red Sox lost a starting pitcher to injury mid-game Sunday night.
Ranger Suarez appeared to jump up to attempt to snare a chopper off the bat of Jo Adell in the bottom of the third inning Sunday night at Angel Stadium. Behind him, shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng couldn’t field the ball cleanly and Adell reached on an infield single.
The Red Sox later announced that Suarez was removed from the game with left adductor tightness.
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Suarez could then be seen flexing his left leg after the play, prompting a mound visit from interim manager Chad Tracy and a member of the training staff. They briefly conferred before Suarez threw one warm-up pitch to test the area, immediately after which he began walking off the mound toward the visiting dugout.
Suarez was replaced by Greg Weissert.
Only a day earlier, Suarez was named to the All-Star team for the second time in his career and expressed joy over the honor. Suarez entered Sunday’s start with a 4-3 mark and a 2.94 ERA.
If Suarez requires an IL stay, he could end up seeing his All-Star spot go to teammate Sonny Gray, who was bypassed when the All-Star rosters were revealed Saturday.
Last Tuesday night, lefty Connelly Early came out after just four innings against the Washington Nationals, says he felt discomfort in his left elbow on the final pitch of the inning.
Early underwent some testing the next day and the Red Sox said it showed nothing more than inflammation. Early is scheduled to visit Dr. Keith Meister during this week in Arlington, Texas to for what the Red Sox have termed “peace of mind.”
The setbacks to the rotation come at a time when the team is desperate to make up ground for a second-half charge toward the postseason.
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The Red Sox have Patrick Sandoval as a potential replacement for Early’s spot. Sandoval, who underwent internal brace (elbow) surgery in June 2024, has been on a rehab assignment and last pitched Saturday. He came through that outing without any issues, lining him up to slot into the rotation as soon as Thursday if the team chooses.
Finding a replacement for Suarez, if necessary, will be more difficult. It’s possible the Red Sox could summon Brayan Bello, who was optioned to Triple A Worcester last month. He’s pitched to a 4.34 ERA in four outings.
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