Ranger Suarez To Open Season On IL, Taijuan Walker Announced As No. 5 Starter
Apr 27, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) reacts after a home run hit by San Diego Padres third baseman Eguy Rosario (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
With just four days until the Philadelphia Phillies kick off their 2025 campaign, manager Rob Thomson announced that the Phils will be without one of their top pitchers to start the season.
While getting interviewed during the Phillies’ spring training matchup against the Detroit Tigers, Thomson announced that Ranger Suarez would begin the season on the Injured List due to a lingering back injury. With the move, that puts pitcher Taijuan Walker in line to be the Phillies No. 5 starter to open up 2025.
BREAKING: Rob Thomson said on the TV broadcast that Ranger Suarez will start the season on the IL.
— Philly Sports Reports (@PhlySprtsReprts) March 23, 2025
Taijuan Walker will be the No. 5 starter. #Phillies pic.twitter.com/pn5kywlQiI
Suarez’s back injury has become a nagging issue for the Phillies since last season. To open 2024, Suarez was arguably the best pitcher in baseball, recording a 1.83 ERA and a 10-2 record through June 25. However, in July he went on the IL with a back issue and missed a month of the season.
When he returned, Suarez did not look the same as his first-half self. In his final 11 starts of the year, he went 2-6 with a 6.54 ERA, lasted only 4.1 innings, and gave up five hits in his sole playoff start. And now in a contract year, Suarez will have to wait to make his 2025 debut. Suarez also spent time on the IL in 2022 with the same back issue.
Looking forward now, Walker moves back into the fifth spot of the rotation like last season. In his two seasons in Philly, Walker has been one of if not the worst pitchers in baseball. As a Phillie, Walker has posted a 5.27 ERA and has allowed 262 hits and 155 runs.
Walker’s first start will be the Phillies’ second home game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:45 p.m.
The Phillies also claimed former Kansas City Royals’ right-hander Carlos Hernandez off waivers. To make room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Tyler Phillips has been designated for assignment.
Hernandez spent five years with the Royals after signing with the team as an international free agent in 2016. Initially a starter for Kansas City, he has spent the majority of his time in the bullpen over the last couple of seasons, acting as more of the long man, which will likely be a similar role with the Phillies.
In five seasons, Hernandez recorded a 4.95 career ERA in 256.1 innings pitched, while totaling 226 strikeouts and 246 hits. In 2024, he recorded a 3.30 ERA in 27 games.
He has a fantastic fastball, averaging around 98 MPH, but has struggled with control issues. Out of minor-league options, Hernandez will fill the final spot on the Phillies’ 26-man opening-day roster for 2025.
The Phillies opening day pitching staff will now have Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Walker as starters. In the bullpen, it will be Jordan Romano, Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, Jose Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Joe Ross, Jose Ruiz, and Hernandez.
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Matt Brown
Matt has been a Philadelphia sports fan all his life and spent four years at Penn State University majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Sports Studies. He previously covered Penn State’s field hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball teams while writing for a Penn State blog called Onward State. He has now covered the Phillies, Eagles, and Sixers for Philly Sports Reports since October 2024 and wants to pursue a career in Sports Journalism.
