Phillies Reveal New Starter for Sunday's Game With Nats

The Philadelphia Phillies have made a change to their expected Sunday starting pitcher in Williamsport.

The Philadelphia Phillies have scratched pitcher Ranger Suárez from his expected start on Sunday against the Washington Nationals due to hamstring tightness, according to manager Rob Thomson.

He said the Phillies are hopeful that he won’t require an injured list stint and that he can make his next turn in the rotation. The injury happened while the Phillies were in Toronto and he will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

Suárez (2-6, 3.88) would have taken the ball in Sunday’s MLB Little League Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., as part of the Little League World Series.

He was coming off a loss to Minnesota in his last start last Sunday, as he gave up six hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings. He struck out eight and walked three.

Suárez is 0-3 in his last seven starts with a 4.17 ERA, as he’s struck out 34 and walked 17 in 41 innings.

Zach Wheeler (9-5, 3.63) will start Sunday’s game in Williamsport.

Wheeler took a no-decision against Toronto on Tuesday, throwing seven innings and giving up three hits and a run. He walked four and struck out five.

He’s been in a good groove lately. Wheeler is 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA in his last seven starts, while he is 6-2 with a 3.39 ERA in his last 15 starts. In his last 15 starts he has struck out 99 and walked 35.

The Phillies intend to start Michael Lorenzen (7-7, 3.23) on Friday and Cristopher Sánchez (1-3, 3.39) on Saturday. Both games will be in Washington D.C.

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