Ranger Suarez Returns from Injury, Phillies Seek Three-Game Sweep of Diamondbacks

Ranger Suarez returns from a back injury to make his 2025 debut for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Suarez, a 29-year-old left-hander, went 12-8 with a 3.46 ERA last season and will likely throw around 90 pitches. The Phillies aim for a three-game sweep, while Arizona looks to rebound from a tough start with Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound.

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In a significant development for the Philadelphia Phillies, left-hander Ranger Suarez is set to make his 2025 debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon. Suarez, who has been sidelined with a sore back since the start of the season, is expected to throw approximately 90 pitches in his first appearance since last fall [1].

The 29-year-old pitcher has been a staple in the Phillies' rotation over the past three seasons, posting a 12-8 record with a 3.46 ERA last season. He was selected to the National League All-Star team and set career highs in wins, strikeouts (145), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.54) [1]. Suarez's return could provide a significant boost to the Phillies' rotation, which has been missing his presence.

The Phillies are aiming for a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, who are currently struggling. Arizona has dropped seven of their last 10 games and has only four runs scored in the current series against the Phillies [1]. The Diamondbacks will be led by left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who has had a rough start to the season. Rodriguez gave up eight runs and nine hits in four innings against the New York Mets on Tuesday [1].

The Phillies' manager, Rob Thomson, has indicated that Suarez will not be at full strength, but he will be allowed to throw around 90 pitches if things go according to plan. Suarez's spot in the rotation could be temporary, as the Phillies may also need help in the bullpen moving forward. Suarez has enjoyed success as a reliever earlier in his career but prefers to stay in the rotation [1].

The odds for Sunday's game have Arizona at +125 and the Phillies at -145. The total has been set at 8.5, with the Phillies holding a slugging percentage of .385 and averaging 4.60 runs per outing [2]. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, are slugging .437 and have a team on-base percentage of .330. The Phillies have a team WHIP of 1.306 and a FIP of 3.58, while the Diamondbacks have a team ERA of 4.47 and a FIP of 4.16 [2].

The Phillies have won the first two games of the series, with Aaron Nola pitching six scoreless innings in his first win of the season [1]. Nola is expected to start against the Diamondbacks again, with the Phillies looking to extend their winning streak.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/ranger-suarez-back-phillies-against-struggling-diamondbacks-2025-05-04/
[2] https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/baseball/2025/arizona-diamondbacks-vs-philadelphia-phillies-prediction-5-3-2025-mlb-picks-best-bets-odds.html