Faced with missing pitching in his first All-Star Game for the second time in three seasons, Ranger Suarez is looking at the bright side.
The Red Sox southpaw, who went on the 15-day injured list Thursday morning with a left groin strain, told reporters in Chicago he was “sad,” but he hopes rotation-mate Sonny Gray will get to take his place in next week’s Midsummer Classic.
Suarez, 30, owns a 3.15 ERA over 17 starts, with 97 strikeouts and 26 walks through 91 1/3 innings in his second career All-Star season. He ranks in the 89th MLB percentile or better in Hard-Hit percentage (89th), Average Exit Velocity (93rd), Pitching Run Value (93rd) and Fastball Run Value (98th).
Gray, 36, is having his best season in years. The righty owns a 2.61 ERA over 16 starts, with 82 strikeouts and 23 walks across 89 2/3 innings. Gray is in the 81st MLB percentile in walk percentage, 84th in Pitching Run Value and 93rd in Fastball Run Value. The 14-year MLB veteran also leads the American League with 10 wins (10-1) and a .909 win-loss percentage.
Suarez departed Sunday evening’s start in Anaheim with adductor tightness. He was originally scheduled to throw a bullpen Thursday morning to see if he could make his next start. Though feeling better, he scrapped the plan to allow for more rest and recovery.
As they have two games before Suarez’s next turn in the rotation Saturday and infielders Anthony Seigler and Willson Contreras both departed Wednesday’s game with injuries, the Red Sox recalled infielder Brett Harris from Triple-A Worcester to take the pitcher’s roster spot.