Suarez (back) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be the first time the left-hander has faced hitters since he came down with lower-back stiffness in mid-March. Suarez could be cleared for a rehab assignment soon if things go well Saturday. He hopes to be ready for his season debut before the end of April.

Suarez (back) could face live hitters in his next scheduled throwing session before the end of the week, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez continues to progress in his recovery from lower-back stiffness, and he'll likely need to go on at least a brief minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Philadelphia's roster. That could be the next step in his throwing progression, barring any setbacks in this weekend's slated session, and the left-hander remains on track to return to the major leagues before the end of April. Taijuan Walker is occupying a spot in the Phillies' rotation in Suarez's stead, and he threw six scoreless innings with four strikeouts while earning the win in Thursday's start against the Rockies.

Suarez (back) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez will throw off the bump for the first time since he developed lower-back stiffness following an intrasquad appearance in mid-March. The lefty will continue to build up as his health allows, with a return from the injured list before the end of April possible if all goes well. Taijuan Walker will hold down a spot in the Phillies rotation until Suarez is cleared to make his 2025 debut.

The Phillies placed Suarez on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to low-back stiffness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez has resumed throwing on flat ground as he overcomes a back issue but is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season. Taijuan Walker will occupy a spot in the Philadelphia rotation until Suarez is ready to make his 2025 debut.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday that he is hopeful Suarez (back) "would pitch sometime in April," Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez is dealing with a back injury and will begin the season on the 15-day injured list. He is throwing on flat ground but will need time to get built back up, which Dombrowski believes will take "three weeks or something at least." Philadelphia will use Taijuan Walker as its fifth starter until Suarez is ready.

Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Suarez (back) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander suffered a back injury last week and will be unavailable for at least the first couple weeks of the regular season. Taijuan Walker will step into Philadelphia's rotation while Suarez is sidelined.

Manager Rob Thomson said Suarez's back is feeling better after playing catch again Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies still haven't determined if Suarez will make his first start or head to the IL to begin the season, but Thomson said that decision will be made by Monday. The 29-year-old lefty is slated for another round of catch Sunday, which might help the team decide on his fate.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Suarez (back) "felt a lot better today" and will play catch Friday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez underwent testing due to back stiffness, but nothing alarming was found and he's been cleared to resume throwing. The left-hander isn't out of the woods yet, particularly since he dealt with back issues last season, too, but it looks like he will have a chance to avoid a stint on the injured list.

Suarez underwent tests after feeling tightness in his back Sunday, one day after pitching in an intrasquad game, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Phillies manager Rob Thomson contends that the back issue is "not as bad" as the one that cost Suarez more than a month of action during the second half last season. However, he will not start Friday's Grapefruit League game versus the Blue Jays and more will be known about his status within the next 2-to-3 days. If Suarez is not ready for the start of the season, Joe Ross could slide into the Phillies' rotation in his place.

Suarez hurled two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League appearance against the Yankees, allowing one hit while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first appearance of the spring for Suarez, who looked sharp in two frames of relief. The 29-year-old left-hander was a first-time All-Star in 2024 on the strength of a 1.83 ERA over his first 16 starts of the campaign, but he limped to the finish line to the tune of a 6.54 ERA across his last 11 starts. The poor second half has rendered Suarez more of a late-round draft selection in fantasy leagues, but he's in line to carry plenty of streaming appeal in 2025 as long as he remains a starter with a Phillies club that should offer plenty of run support.