The Boston Red Sox on July 5 completed a three-game sweep of the lowly Los Angeles Angels. But, in 2026 Red Sox fashion, they couldn't leave the West Coast without a dose of depressing news to hurt any momentum they might've built.
Ranger Suarez got off to a shaky start in the first game after his second-career All-Star nomination, allowing three runs on six hits over 2.2 innings. The hits kept coming for Boston as Suarez, usually quite the defender, in the third frame needed a visit from a trainer after attempting to field a bouncing grounder off the bat of Jo Adell.
Suarez left the game after his defensive effort and was replaced by Greg Weissert. The Red Sox later announced that he experienced an adductor muscle issue. After the game, Suarez told reporters he experienced "a big pinch" on the inside of his leg and that he felt the same as he did after the injury (via Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, subscription required).
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said after the game that he's "concerned" about Suarez's injury, as he and his club should be. It's the second injury in the current rotation cycle after Connelly Early on July 1 hit the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Boston already has Garrett Crochet, Johan Oviedo and Kutter Crawford on the IL while Patrick Sandoval is working through a rehab assignment.
Ranger Suarez's injury right after second-career All-Star nomination perfectly sums up 2026 Red Sox luck
Suarez's injury is also a crushing blow to the Red Sox's All-Star Game participation. Boston's only two All-Stars are Suarez and Aroldis Chapman, and if no other Sox are named to the game, the latter could be their only participant despite Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras deserving spots.
Suarez has been one of Boston's most consistent pitchers all season and losing him for any length of time will be devastating for its already-slim playoff chances. He's posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP (second-lowest of his career), 97 strikeouts and 26 walks over 91.1 innings. His 25.8 strikeout percentage is the highest of his career so far.
The lefty still must undergo imaging to determine the extent of his injury but Tracy's concern suggests an IL stint is imminent. Suarez experienced a hamstring injury earlier in the season but avoided the IL but it doesn't seem like the Red Sox will get so lucky this time.
It's still uncertain who Bostons next man up will be, since Jake Bennett is already in the major leagues, the Red Sox's top pitching prospects are largely quite young and Brayan Bello is still struggling in Triple-A.
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