Phillies Injury Updates: Ranger Suárez to begin rehab assignment

The Latest Phillies Injury Update

• Ranger Suárez (low back stiffness)
• Status: 15-day injured list; Scheduled to begin rehab assignment on Thursday, April 10.
• Left-hander Ranger Suárez is on the injured list with back stiffness. He dealt with a back issue last year as well. Taijuan Walker has taken his place in the rotation for the time being.
• Suárez will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater on Thursday, April 10, according to The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb. He is expected to throw three innings. The Phillies originally thought Suárez was going to throw another simulated game, but the team is comfortable enough with his progress to begin a rehab assignment — Last updated April 8 by Destiny Lugardo

• Andrew Painter (Tommy John surgery)
• Status: Could be pitching in the majors this summer
• Top prospect Andrew Painter should be in line to make his big-league debut in “July-ish” as Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski put it this offseason. He hasn’t pitched in a regular season game since injuring his elbow during the spring of 2023, but he should be ready to make an impact once he’s up, even in a limited workload.
• Painter has been assigned to Single-A Clearwater. He will make his debut on Friday. He is expected to pitch once a week in the minors. Rob Thomson told reporters in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 8 that Painter’s first outing will be two innings and 35 pitches. “Health is the biggest concern,” Thomson said. “He gets through it. He’s throwing strikes. I mean, the stuff’s there.” — Last Updated April 8 by Destiny Lugardo

• Weston Wilson (left oblique strain)
• Status: 10-day injured list, will start rehab assignment on Tuesday
• Weston Wilson missed out on a chance to break camp with the Phillies as a bench bat and an option in the outfield and infield due to his strained oblique. He’s a good fit once he’s healthy as a right-handed hitter to help balance out a lefty-heavy club.
• Wilson will begin a rehab assignment for Single-A Clearwater on Tuesday, April 8. Position players can rehab for a maximum of 20 days. If Wilson comes out of his assignment healthy, he will either go back up with the big league club or be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. — Last updated April 6 by Destiny Lugardo