BOSTON – The Red Sox are on fire with 14 wins in a row, one shy of a franchise record, but the expected return of left-hander Ranger Suarez is on hold for another day.
Suarez, who had been in line to return from the injured list to start Tuesday night's game against the Orioles at Fenway Park, was instead scratched early Tuesday afternoon, with Eduardo Rivera slated to start the game instead. The club opted to give Suarez an extra day to recover after he took part in throwing and pitchers' fielding practice drills on Monday.
Interim manager Chad Tracy announced following Monday’s streak-extending 6-5 victory that Suarez was set to return after serving the minimum 15 days on the injured list with a left groin strain, but his activation is on hold.
Suarez suffered the injury in a start on July 5 in Anaheim, one day after he was selected as an All-Star for the second time in his career.
The lefty wound up not even making the trip to Philadelphia for the festivities so he could get as much treatment as possible in Boston to minimize his stay on the injured list.
Signed to a five-year, $130 million contract to come to the Red Sox as a free agent in January, Suarez is 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA in 17 starts.
Once he returns, Suarez will reclaim his place in a rotation that has been one of the best in MLB all season, even though ace Garrett Crochet hasn’t pitched since April 25 due to left shoulder woes.