What Will the Phillies Do With Strahm When Suárez Returns?

Ranger Suarez gave the Philadelphia Phillies a jolt of good news when he threw two scoreless innings on 27 pitches for Doubel-A Reading on Thursday.

Suarez is scheduled for two or three more rehab starts at Reading before making the move back to Citizens Bank Park.

Manager Rob Thomson wants Suarez to work his way up to 90-to-100 pitches.

When Suarez does return to the Phillies, it will almost certainly shift Matt Strahm to the bullpen.

Strahm has done a tremendous job filling in as the fifth starter.

Strahm, who signed a two-year, $15 million deal, has gone 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA as a starter. He has proven to be incredibly versatile at a time the Phillies needed him most.

“He’s really pitched well, but I think he’s a big piece coming out of the bullpen because you can use him in so many different ways and he’s resilient,” Thomson said. “He bounces back. He’s got kind of a rubber arm. It gives you the ability to pitch guys every other day, which really gives your bullpen some rest. I think he’s best fit for the bullpen, but he’s done a fantastic job as a starter.”

Strahm probably deserves to stay in the starting rotation, but it’s hard to argue with Thomson’s logic. Suarez is an amazing talent and that was evident during the 2022 postseason.

Strahm won’t complain about going to the bullpen. He’s really the ultimate teammate willing to help in any way possible.

This whole situation looks to be a win-win for the Phillies.

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