Phillies' Ranger Suárez gets a shorter start as the ace left-hander's workload grows

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ranger Suárez has piled up enough pitches and innings this season for the reigning NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies to fit the modern definition of a workhorse.

On Saturday, it was time for a break.

Or at least time to shorten the left-hander’s outing against Cincinnati to give him some rest and try to prevent wear and tear on a body that broke down at the end of last season.

Suárez was pulled after just five innings and 80 pitches, the fewest of each since his first start of the season in early May.

Suárez earned a no-decision but did his part — along with home runs from Alec Bohm, Kyle Schwarber and Edmundo Sosa — to help the Phillies beat the Reds 5-1.

Manger Rob Thomson said because of a recent heavy workload, Suárez entered on an 85-pitch limit.

Suárez had pitched at least seven innings in each of his last five starts and thrown at least six in all but his first start of the year, when he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Suárez (7-2, 1.99 ERA) has been superb since then. He made six June starts and threw at least 94 pitches in all of them, and he has a 1.22 ERA over his last 11 starts.

“We went into today just trying to pull back a little bit,” Thomson said. “I don’t really concern myself with (velocity) because he pitches and that’s what he did today. He threw strikes, first-pitch strikes.”

Suárez said he agreed with Thomson's decision to play it safe with his left shoulder and back.

Suárez has not allowed more than one earned run since June 7 at Pittsburgh, and he's permitted one or zero earned runs in nine of his 12 starts.

Even though he missed April as he recovered from a back injury, Suárez's numbers are strong enough to merit consideration for a second straight All-Star nod. Thomson stumped for his star pitcher — who's eligible for free agency at the end of the season — along with fellow starters Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez to represent the NL on July 15 in Atlanta.

He'll find out Sunday if he's on the team.

“When the season starts, one of the goals you have as a player is to go to the All-Star Game,” Suárez said through an interpreter. “On that end, I'm a little hopeful. If that happens, I'm excited about it. But I think the main thing for us right now is to focus on just finishing the season as healthy as possible.”

The Phillies have reason to be cautious with Suárez as they chase their fourth straight playoff berth and first World Series title since 2008.

Suárez went 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 16 starts last season through June 25 before a bad back stuck him on the injured list and he tailed off with a 2-6 mark and a 6.54 ERA over his last 11 starts. Suárez also missed time with a back injury in 2022.

The Phillies need Suárez healthy and at his best in October, even if pitch counts cost him a win in July.

“If we have to do it again," Thomson said, “we’ll do it again.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez reacts after giving up a solo home run to Cincinnati Reds' Will Benson during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)