Phillies Injury Updates: Ranger Suárez throws live BP, latest on Andrew Painter
The Latest Phillies Injury Update
- Ranger Suárez (low back stiffness)
- Status: 15-day injured list
- Left-hander Ranger Suárez began the season on the injured list with back stiffness. He dealt with a back issue last year as well. Taijuan Walker has taken his place in the rotation for the time being and made a solid first start of the season on Thursday.
- Suárez is working his way toward a return, throwing in a live batting practice on Saturday at the Phillies’ facility in Clearwater, Fla. Manager Rob Thomson had a video feed of the session and was pleased with the pitcher’s performance.
Suárez threw 34 pitches and looked sharp in his first inning before his command tailed off a bit in the second. Still, the outing was productive, and the team will determine the next steps soon. “It was a good day,” Thomson said. — Last updated on April 5 by Ty Daubert.
- Weston Wilson (left oblique strain)
- Status: 10-day injured list, could be back late April or early May
- Weston Wilson missed out on a chance to break camp with the Phillies as a bench bat and an option in the outfield and infield due to his strained oblique. He’s a good fit once he’s healthy as a right-handed hitter to help balance out a lefty-heavy club.
- Thomson said Wilson batted against Suárez in that batting practice, meaning he’s facing live pitching once again. A rehab assignment may not be too far away. — Last updated on April 5 by Ty Daubert.
- Andrew Painter (Tommy John surgery)
- Status: Could be pitching in the majors this summer
- Top prospect Andrew Painter should be in line to make his big-league debut in “July-ish” as Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski put it this offseason. He hasn’t pitched in a regular-season game since injuring his elbow during the spring of 2023, but he should be ready to make an impact once he’s up, even in a limited workload.
- Painter threw in a live batting practice on Friday, and his body has responded well, Thomson said. The Phillies will decide what’s next in the coming days. He may be ready to pitch in minor-league games as part of his ramp-up process soon. — Last updated on April 5 by Ty Daubert.