The Philadelphia Phillies' Opening Day roster is nearly set, with a week until the start of the regular season. However, there's uncertainty around Ranger Suárez's availability due to a back injury that has left the starting rotation murky for the moment.
From the latest update on Thursday, it sounds like Suárez's stiff back is feeling better, per The Philadelphia Inquirer's Lochlahn Mach. According to Mach, following the Phillies game against the Atlanta Braves, manager Rob Thomson told reporters that the left-hander "felt a lot better today," and is scheduled to play catch tomorrow.
Rob Thomson said Ranger Suárez (stiff back) "felt a lot better today," and he will play catch tomorrow.
— Lochlahn March (@lochlahn) March 20, 2025
But the Phillies are far from out of the woods, especially after remembering how much Suarez's back affected his second half in 2024. The team has a decision to make about which pitcher would start in his place if he's unable to make his first start of the season.
Taijuan Walker and Tyler Phillips have not performed like starting pitchers in spring training. Could the Phillies look outside the organization and add a starter on an affordable one-year deal? There is one pitcher available who is waiting to be signed by a club in need of more pitching.
Kyle Gibson is an option for the Phillies to consider if Ranger Suárez's back affects his Opening Day status
If Suárez needs to go on the IL, an alternative for Philadelphia to consider is signing a free agent. One notable starter who is still available is Kyle Gibson. The right-hander was with the organization during part of 2021 and all of the 2022 season.
He had a 5.09 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance following the trade to Philly. Gibson made 31 starts for the Phillies and posted a 5.05 ERA in 2022. The veteran allowed 94 earned runs in 167 2/3 innings. He spent the 2023 season with the Baltimore Orioles, winning 15 games in 33 starts, both career-highs for the veteran. His 192 innings were his most pitched since 2018.
The former 2009 first-round pick spent 2024 with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he made 30 starts and finished with a 4.24 ERA in 169 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed 80 earned runs, his lowest total since 2021.
7 strong for Kyle Gibson in his first start as a Cardinal! pic.twitter.com/dZ0bBpILdj
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 2, 2024
The argument can be made that Gibson is a better option for the Phillies rather than Walker. The veteran had begun to show a bit of improvement this spring. However, he had a disastrous start against the New York Yankees on March 19. His appearance was reminiscent of his 2024 season, which saw him demoted to the bullpen toward the end of the year.
Walker allowed three home runs, nine hits and six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. His 3.86 ERA has risen to 6.92 as spring training winds down. Phillips hasn't done well, either. The 28-year-old has an ERA of 8.38 and has surrendered nine earned runs in 9 2/3 innings.
Joe Ross is the best option on the roster between Walker, Phillips and him to start if Suárez misses any time. The 31-year-old has a 4.05 ERA and has surrendered three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings this spring. He made one start earlier in spring training but looks to be more of an option as a reliever, considering he has been used out of the bullpen more often than as a starter in recent years with the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers.
According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, Suárez felt discomfort following a 60-pitch outing on March 15. Phillies manager Rob Thomson is unsure about his availability due to a lack of information about his back ailment.
"That’s why we haven’t announced anything with the rotation, who’s pitching when and who’s got the home opener,” Thomson said, per Zolecki. “All that stuff.”
As Zolecki notes, if Suárez is placed on the IL, he could return to start on April 8 versus the Atlanta Braves.
St. Louis decided to decline Gibson's option at the start of the offseason. He may have suitors with teams that need pitching entering the regular season, such as the Yankees. The native of Greenfield, Indiana, would be an option for the Phillies to add more proven depth to its pitching staff to start the year.