BOSTON – Dogged by an illness in recent days that has prolonged his return from the 15-day injured list, Red Sox lefty Ranger Suarez was back in motion on Friday in hopes that he’ll be activated for a start by Sunday or early in the series against the Athletics in Sacramento that opens Monday night.
Suarez was scheduled to return from his left groin strain earlier this week, but the illness, which prevented him from eating much for a couple of days, put everything on hold.
Prior to Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays, Suarez threw a side session.
“The sickness part is a lot better,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “We’ll see how he feels. Sunday, he’s an option. We don’t have to commit to that yet because he’s still on the IL. We still have [Payton] Tolle lined up for that day if we need it, but we’re certainly looking at Ranger for possibly Sunday.
“But pending how he goes through it. For two days, he didn’t eat much, with the sickness and stuff. So we’ve got to make sure he gets his strength back. Make sure he checks some boxes, and we’ll commit to that once we feel like we’re ready to.”
The Red Sox have another key lefty on the mend as well in Connelly Early.
The rookie, who has been sidelined since July 1 with left shoulder inflammation, threw an inning in the bullpen session while also playing catch out to 120 feet on Friday. Early also did some pitchers’ fielding practice.
His next step will be a two-inning bullpen session and probably live batting practice after that, leading up to a short Minor League rehab assignment.
In 17 starts this season, Early is 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA covering 91 2/3 innings. Suarez has also made 17 starts, going 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA in 91 1/3 innings.
Patrick Sandoval, the lefty who returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this month and started Friday night against Toronto, has filled one of the vacant spots in the order. The Sox have mixed it up in the fifth spot, using openers and, at times, Brayan Bello in bulk relief.
A starter most of his career, Bello has pitched far better as a reliever this season.
Bello displayed his best velocity of the season on Wednesday, firing 5 1/3 scoreless innings in relief and topping out at 98.4 mph.
Do the Red Sox look at him strictly as a reliever at this point in the season?
“I think you have to be open to both,” said Tracy. “He’s obviously done a nice job in the outings we brought him out of the ‘pen, but until we get guys back, you still have to look and consider, where’s our starter depth at? So those are ongoing conversations. I guess the best way to answer is you can’t ignore the job he’s done coming out and throwing long relief out of the ‘pen. He’s done tremendous with that, but you also have to be mindful of having starting pitching depth just taking a hit.”
