​CHICAGO (AP) — Ranger Suarez of the Boston Red Sox will miss the upcoming All-Star Game after being placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left groin strain. The move is retroactive to Monday, a day after he exited Boston’s 7-5 win at the Los Angeles Angels with two outs in the third inning. In his first season with the Red Sox after signing a five-year, $130 million contract, the left-hander is 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA over 17 starts.
The 30-year-old Suarez had been set to pitch again on Saturday against the New York Mets. “He is showing some improvement, but not enough to where, if there’s still some soreness and tightness in there, it’s not enough to make us feel comfortable that he’ll be able to go on Saturday,” interim manager Chad Tracy said. The team is weighing several options for the New York start, including Brayan Bello, who was optioned to Triple-A Worcester last month. With the All-Star break approaching, Boston could also opt for a bullpen game. Suarez, who was an All-Star in 2024 but missed the game due to back stiffness, would have played in the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia, where Suarez spent his first eight big-league seasons.
“Obviously sad. I wanted to be able to go there, represent my team and also enjoy the moment,” Suarez said through a translator. “But I think the best thing for me is to take care of my body and that’s what I’m going to do.” If needed, Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray—who is 10-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts—could replace Suarez on the AL team. Suarez expressed hope of returning as soon as he is eligible after the break, saying, “The four days we have to break, I’m going to do treatment and I hope I’m not going to lose any starts, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Boston came into the series finale against the Chicago White Sox after winning five in a row and 10 of 12 overall. In other roster news, All-Star slugger Willson Contreras did not start after fouling a ball off his left foot in Wednesday’s 5-0 win. “Just sore,” Tracy said of Contreras, adding that he would rest and receive treatment as the day progressed. Infielder Brett Harris was recalled from Worcester and started at first base in Contreras’ place. Harris, 28, was acquired in a July 1 trade with the Athletics after being designated for assignment. He had hit a grand slam during a minor-league doubleheader on Wednesday before learning he would join the Red Sox. “I just got to know most of the guys in Triple-A, and now I get to restart the process here. But I’m excited,” Harris said.