The Phillies delivered some troubling injury news just a week before Opening Day.

Excitement continues to build for the season opener on March 27 against the Washington Nationals, but the latest spring training update has raised concerns.

Fans understand the significance of this season, as it may be the final year with the current core roster. One of the biggest challenges in recent seasons has been injuries at critical moments.

For Ranger Suárez, an impending free agent, this season is particularly important. However, his contract year is off to a rough start, as The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber reported Wednesday that Suárez is dealing with a “stiff back.” Phillies manager Rob Thomson stated that the issue isn’t as severe as last year’s injury, but it remains unclear whether it will sideline him.

Hoping Suárez’s back injury isn’t a repeat of last season

Last year, Suárez started strong before back issues derailed what could have been a Cy Young-caliber campaign. He has developed into a reliable pitcher and a fan favorite, but injuries continue to be a recurring obstacle. The fact that he’s already dealing with an issue before Opening Day is worrisome for the Phillies.

For the team to succeed in 2025, staying healthy will be crucial. Last season exposed a lack of pitching depth, especially when Suárez and Spencer Turnbull suffered injuries. The addition of Jesús Luzardo should help solidify the rotation, but losing Suárez would be a major setback.

Phillies’ Fifth Starter Options If Suárez Misses Time

As the final week of spring training approaches, the Phillies may need to evaluate their options for a potential fifth starter.

• Taijuan Walker is the most likely candidate, though he hasn’t lived up to his contract. Despite reports of increased velocity, his spring performance has been underwhelming, with a 6.92 ERA over 13 innings. Coming off a career-worst 7.10 ERA in 2024, he was left off the postseason roster.
• Tyler Phillips saw major league action last season but has struggled this spring, allowing nine runs in 9 2/3 innings for an 8.38 ERA. In 2024, he posted a 4-1 record but had a 6.87 ERA.
• Seth Johnson, acquired in last year’s Gregory Soto trade, has already been optioned to Triple-A but was briefly called up last season. He made just two appearances before being sent back down.
• Kyle Tyler has performed well in spring training, allowing only two unearned runs over 7 2/3 innings (0.00 ERA). However, he struggled with the Marlins last year, posting a 5.40 ERA while opponents hit .301 against him.
• Joe Ross could be another option. Signed in the offseason, Ross has starting experience, with 86 career starts. Last year with the Brewers, he started 10 of 25 games and could serve as a short-term solution.

While Andrew Painter won’t be ready for Opening Day, he could become an option later in the season. The team may also consider a six-man rotation to help manage Suárez’s workload.

No matter which direction they take, this isn’t an ideal situation. If healthy, the Phillies’ rotation has the potential to be one of the best in baseball. Suárez has dealt with back problems before, and the team will hope he can recover quickly to avoid missing significant time in 2025.