Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez finds himself at a critical crossroads as the 2025 MLB season begins, sidelined by a familiar foe just as he enters what could be the most lucrative year of his career. The 29-year-old pitcher, who hired super-agent Scott Boras this past offseason, started the year on the 15-day injured list with lower back stiffness—the same issue that derailed his Cy Young candidacy last season and now threatens to complicate his path to free agency.
How Suárez's Back Injury Unfolded: Inside the Phillies' Spring Training Setback
The warning signs appeared in mid-March during what should have been a routine ramp-up for the regular season. Suárez last pitched on March 15 in an intrasquad game at the Carpenter Complex before feeling pain in his lower back the following Monday. "It's better than Monday," Suárez told reporters through a team interpreter. "I felt a little pain in that area, but I'm better now." Despite the optimism, manager Rob Thomson and the Phillies medical staff exercised caution, pushing back his throwing sessions and ultimately deciding to place him on the IL to begin the season.
"Theoretically, yeah," Thomson said when asked if Suárez could still make his first start. "We'll know a lot more tomorrow. We'll just have to see. We want to make sure we're careful with him." That careful approach reflects both the long-term importance of Suárez to the Phillies' rotation and the pitcher's own history with back issues that have disrupted multiple seasons.
Timeline: How Suárez's Back Issues Developed Over Three Seasons
Suárez's current injury represents the latest chapter in an ongoing battle with back problems that dates to 2022. That year, he missed time with a back injury before returning to help the Phillies reach the World Series. The issue resurfaced dramatically in 2024, transforming what had been a historic first half into a frustrating second-half struggle.
Through June 25 last season, Suárez compiled a 10-2 record with a 1.83 ERA in 16 starts, positioning himself as a legitimate Cy Young contender. He became the first pitcher since Hall of Famer Juan Marichal in 1966 to start 9-0 with a sub-1.50 ERA through 10 games. "It's kind of mind-boggling, you know?" Thomson said at the time. "The historic run that he's been on, he's just been pitching great."
Then the back pain returned. Suárez missed the All-Star Game with back tightness and spent almost a month on the IL from late July through late August. When he returned, his performance plummeted: he went 2-6 with a 6.54 ERA in his final 11 appearances, watching his Cy Young hopes evaporate as his ERA ballooned from 2.76 before the break to 5.65 afterward.
Why Suárez's Contract Year Matters: Boras, Big Money, and Phillies' Future
The timing of Suárez's latest injury couldn't be more consequential. In December 2024, he hired Scott Boras as his agent, a move widely interpreted as preparation for free agency after the 2025 season. Boras, known for securing record-breaking contracts for his clients, represents both opportunity and risk for Suárez in a market where starting pitching commands premium dollars.
"Suarez is entering a contract year and the decision to switch to Boras could be a signal that he intends to play out the season and reach free agency," noted NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman. Recent contracts for comparable pitchers provide a template: Nate Eovaldi signed for 3 years, $75 million with the Rangers; Luis Severino got 3 years, $67 million from the A's; and Yusei Kikuchi landed 3 years, $63 million with the Angels.
For Suárez, the equation is simple but fraught: stay healthy and perform like he did in the first half of 2024, and he could command $25 million or more annually on a multi-year deal. Get derailed by injuries, and he risks settling for a short-term "prove-it" contract at age 30. The Phillies have indicated interest in retaining him, but Boras's involvement suggests Suárez intends to test the market unless presented with an overwhelming offer.
Where Things Stand Now: Suárez's Rehab Progress and Phillies' Plans
As of late April 2025, Suárez has progressed to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he made his third tune-up start on April 22. He threw 59 pitches (40 strikes) over five scoreless innings, showing improved velocity with his sinker touching 92 mph. "He could be back with the Phillies by next weekend's home series against the Diamondbacks," reported NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The Phillies plan to extend Suárez to 85-90 pitches in one more rehab start before activating him from the IL. His return would likely displace Taijuan Walker, who has surprisingly excelled as his replacement with a 2.29 ERA in 19⅔ innings over four starts. Walker's performance gives the Phillies flexibility to avoid rushing Suárez back, though the team expects his absence to be brief.
"We don't think it's going to be long," Thomson said of Suárez's IL stint. The Phillies backdated the assignment, making him eligible to return as early as April 8—a timeline that now appears conservative given his progress. Suárez himself has emphasized the difference between this year's "mild discomfort" and last season's more serious issues. "It's very different from last year," he said. "Last year was a bigger deal. This year, I think it's a smaller problem."
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Suárez and the Phillies
The coming months will determine not only Suárez's immediate contribution to the Phillies' playoff aspirations but also his long-term financial future. His performance upon returning—particularly his ability to maintain velocity and effectiveness deep into games—will be scrutinized by both the Phillies front office and potential suitors on the free agent market.
For the Phillies, Suárez represents a critical component of a rotation that already features Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Jesús Luzardo. His return to first-half 2024 form could make Philadelphia's starting staff among baseball's most formidable, especially with Cristopher Sánchez showing continued development. Yet the recurring nature of his back issues raises legitimate concerns about durability as the team contemplates a significant investment.
Suárez's situation encapsulates the modern baseball dilemma: how to value pitchers with elite performance but persistent injury risks. As he navigates his rehab and return, every start will carry implications far beyond the box score, influencing a potential nine-figure decision that will shape the second half of his career and the Phillies' rotation for years to come.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember About Suárez's Situation
- Ranger Suárez begins 2025 on the injured list with back stiffness, a recurring issue that also disrupted his 2024 Cy Young campaign
- He hired super-agent Scott Boras in December 2024, signaling likely free agency after this season
- Before last year's injury, Suárez had a historic first half: 9-0 with a 1.36 ERA through 10 starts
- He's progressing through a rehab assignment and could return to the Phillies by late April
- Taijuan Walker has excelled as his replacement with a 2.29 ERA in four starts
- Suárez's health and performance this season will determine whether he commands $25M+ annually in free agency
