Ranger Suárez was cruising through his May 3 outing at Fenway Park. The lefty held the Houston Astros scoreless through four innings, he gave up three hits, one walk and clocked three strikeouts on 70 pitches.
As Suárez descended the stairs into the dugout after his fourth frame, he appeared to speak with Boston Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey. Fans were surprised to see Tyler Samaniego take the mound in the fifth inning — Suárez didn't give any indication that anything was wrong.
But shortly after, the Red Sox announced that Suárez departed with hamstring tightness in his right leg. Interim manager Chad Tracy didn't confirm or deny the need for an injured list stint in his post game press conference. In many ways, that would be the last thing Boston needs.
Thankfully, in his postgame availability, Suárez said he hopes to make his next start (via Tim Healey of The Boston Globe). Although that isn't a confirmation of perfect health, that's a good sign for Boston. According to Tracy, the Red Sox have no plans to send the veteran for an MRI. He'll stay in Boston during the team's upcoming three-game road trip to face the Detroit Tigers, as he was never going to pitch anyway.
Ranger Suárez hopeful to make next start after leaving Astros-Red Sox game in fourth inning with hamstring tightness
Ranger Suarez discusses his injury after an early exit from today's game 🎙️
— NESN (@NESN) May 3, 2026
🤝 presented by @WBMasonCo pic.twitter.com/HfYrXUpJwY
The Red Sox already have a full rotation of pitchers on the injured list, and adding Suárez to the bunch would be a devastating blow. Johan Oviedo, Sonny Gray and Garrett Crochet are all sidelined with injuries — Oviedo is on the 60-day IL with a right elbow strain while Gray and Crochet's injuries are believed to be less serious. Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval have each had their rehab assignments paused.
Losing Suárez to the IL would also be a particularly hard punch in the gut because he's been one of the Sox's best pitchers this year. He's posted a 2.77 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP, 32 strikeouts and 10 walks in 39 innings. He's made two, eight-inning outings so far this year, which have been key in giving Boston's beleaguered bullpen a rest.
If Suárez's assessment of his injury is correct and he can indeed make his next start, the Red Sox will have dodged a serious bullet. Even though Boston expects Gray to be able to return from the IL after his minimum 15-day stint this week, Suárez has been one of the best arms on the team so far and it can't afford to lose him for a week, let alone an entire IL stint.
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