Swelling in Ranger Suárez's throwing hand improving after leaving Phillies-Cardinals game with injury
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — The swelling in Ranger Suárez's throwing hand has improved after he was hit by a line drive in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.
Thomson said on Sunday that Suárez is doing better one day after X-rays taken on the injury came back negative. It still remains unclear if Suárez will make his next scheduled start on Saturday against the New York Mets in Game 1 of the London Series, but Thomson said the crafty left-hander will attempt to grip a ball on Monday or Tuesday.
If Suárez can't pitch, then Spencer Turnbull would start in his place. Thomson didn't specify when they will announce if Suárez will be available.
"Everything is good," Suárez said through an interpreter after the Phillies' 6-1 victory. "Have to thank God on this one."
The Phillies had a brief scare Saturday night before the X-rays on Suárez came back negative.
Suárez, who entered the game tied for the major league lead with nine wins, left with a bruised left hand after he was drilled by a 106.1 mph line drive off the bat of Alec Burleson in the second inning. The lefty picked up the ball and threw to first to get the final out of the inning and then immediately winced in pain.
He put his face in his glove, walked to the dugout and then headed back to the clubhouse.
"As soon as the ball hit me, I knew I wasn't going to be able to continue," he said, before joking. "I need to improve my pitches so that doesn't happen again."
Suárez, who had inflammation on his hand, said the ball hit him on the part of the thumb that is more muscle than bone.
"Glad to see he's doing OK and hope he gets better soon," said Bryce Harper, who homered in the win.
Suárez retired all six batters he faced, striking out two. He began play on Saturday second in the NL in ERA (1.75), first in opponents' batting average (.171), first in WHIP (0.82) and sixth in strikeouts (77).
Turnbull struck out six in three scoreless innings after stepping in for Suárez and the Phillies won their eighth straight at home.