Rob Thomson knew there would be questions after Ranger Suárez was pulled after just 80 pitches in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 5–1 win over the Reds — especially with how sharp he looked on the mound. The early exit sparked concern among fans about a possible injury.
Suárez had been cruising, keeping Cincinnati in check and giving his teammates a chance to generate offense. But Thomson cleared things up after the game, revealing that the early hook was part of a pitch limit strategy to help manage Suárez’s workload.
“It was designed,” Thomson said. “So in June he had six starts. Five of them 7 innings, one of them 6 innings, all of them 94 pitches or more. We went in today just trying to pull back a bit, so he had an 85-pitch limit.“
Suarez explains his pitch count against the Reds
Thomson’s explanation may have helped calm the nerves of Phillies fans, but Suárez also offered some insight — saying the limit was tied to minor physical issues he experienced in his previous outing.
Ranger Suarez has become the most reliable arm in the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation, showcasing his strength on the mound after overcoming past injuries.
“Ranger Suárez said he wasn’t feeling great after his last start in Atlanta (shoulder, back) so the Phillies had him on an 85-pitch limit. Said he felt much better today. He’ll have an extra day off before his next start,” reported Anthony SanFilippo on X.
One of the Phillies’ most important arms
Through 12 starts, Suárez has become a crucial piece in the Phillies’ success this MLB season. With a 1.99 ERA, he’s been the most consistent starter on the staff — and someone the team simply can’t afford to lose to injury. His ERA leads the rotation, and his 7–2 record ties him with Cristopher Sánchez for the second-best mark among Phillies starters.
