Back spasms knock Ranger Suárez out of All-Star Game; Phillies don’t expect IL stint

Philadelphia Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez has been replaced on the National League All-Star roster by Atlanta Braves’ southpaw Max Fried, MLB announced Saturday.

Suárez is dealing with lower back spasms, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. While the Phillies don’t expect Suárez to go on the injured list, he may not make his next start until the second series after the All-Star Break, when the Phillies will face the Minnesota Twins.

“I know it hurts him in the sense that not only the back hurts him, but it hurts because he wanted to pitch in the All-Star Game,” Dombrowski said before Saturday’s game. “But he said he doesn’t think it’s the best thing to do at this time. He wants to be ready for the second half of the season. He wants to pitch well for us.”

Suárez has allowed a combined 15 earned runs in his last three starts. His 89.7 mph average fastball velocity was the second-lowest of the season. He labored through the third and fifth innings in Friday’s loss to the Athletics, allowing four earned runs over six innings. Suárez didn’t report the discomfort until after his outing Friday.

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Suárez downplayed fatigue as a factor for his struggles after Friday’s game.

“I think I’m just trying to be too sharp on the mound. I’ve been trying to be too sharp on the mound for the past couple outings,” Suárez said through team interpreter Diego D’Aniello. “I just have to let go and locate the pitches where I want to and I think I will be better off doing that.”

Because he’s not going to pitch in the game, Suárez will not travel to and from Arlington, Texas to be part of the pregame ceremonies.

Phillies Nation’s Destiny Lugardo contributed to this story.

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