Will the Philadelphia Phillies’ leading reliever be at peak performance?
Manager Rob Thomson informed reporters on that All-Star was absent from simulated game because of a “slightly stiff neck,” according to Alex Coffey from The Philadelphia Inquirer.
He was kept out of the workout as a precaution, but Thomson assured that the reliever will “be fine” to start the playoffs. The Phillies will play against the winner of the Wild Card series between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.
He earned his first All-Star selection in 2024, wrapping up the season with an ERA of 2.17, which ranked as the eighth-best among National League relievers who pitched at least 60 innings.
He will become a free agent at the end of the season. According to Matt Gelb from The Athletic, the Phillies are looking to re-sign the reliever.
“It’s everything I could have hoped for,” Hoffman said in an interview with The Athletic. “You know the team is going to be strong. You know the owner is committed to winning. The coaching staff fully supports the players, and the training staff is top-notch. It’s truly a great environment. If I want to play for another four or five years or however long, I believe this is the place that can keep me healthy enough to achieve that and also give me a chance to compete for a championship every year I’m here.”
Hoffman made a significant impact with the Phillies in 2023 after pitching batting practice to Bryce Harper, who was preparing to return from injury, in late April. His impressive performance led the Phillies to promote him from the minors, where he quickly became a standout player. Over 52 1/3 innings last season, Hoffman recorded 69 strikeouts and posted a 2.41 ERA. He has since established himself as Thomson’s most trusted reliever.
Thomson provided an encouraging update on starter Ranger Suarez, who faced significant challenges during the second half of the season. The manager noted a “big improvement” in Suarez’s performance after he pitched two innings in the simulated game.
“It was coming out of his hand really well, the movement was there, and his curveball was sharp. That eased my mind,” Thomson said, according to PHLY Sports.
Suarez, who made his first All-Star team in 2024, struggled significantly after the break due to a back injury that sidelined him for a month. According to StatMuse, Suarez recorded a 6.54 ERA over 11 starts since June 30. During this period, he allowed four or more earned runs in six of those games.
For the Phillies to succeed in the playoffs, Suarez will need to perform at his best. Currently, it seems he may only be effective for one time through the lineup before being pulled. Game 1 of the NLDS is set to begin at 4:08 p.m. on Saturday, October 5.
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