Ranger Suárez is preparing to pitch for not one, but two new teams this year.
The newest Red Sox starter is expected to pitch for Team Venezuela in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, El Emergente’s Marcos Grunfeld reported Monday.
Several of Suárez’s new Red Sox teammates teammates are slated to play in the WBC, including closer Aroldis Chapman (Great Britain), outfielders Jarren Duran (Mexico) and Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands), and reliever Garrett Whitlock (USA).
Suárez’s participation is more surprising, given his history and how infrequently the Red Sox make such a commitment to a free agent. He was on Venezuela’s roster for the last WBC in 2023, but was forced to exit early due to left forearm tightness. Though he and Phillies manager Rob Thomson initially downplayed the issue and expressed confidence that Opening Day was remained within reach, Suárez began the year on the injured list with a left elbow strain and didn’t make his season debut until May 13.
It’s been less than a week since Suárez became the Red Sox’s first free-agent agreement longer than three years since Craig Breslow became the chief baseball officer in November ‘23.
The club has yet to officially announce the blockbuster five-year, $130 million pact, as Suárez wasn’t able to leave his native Venezuela right away. The left-hander was finally able to travel to Boston Sunday, Grunfeld reported, and is expected to be formally introduced in a press conference at Fenway Park in the coming days.
Report: Red Sox make first free agency splash, add elite NL starter Suárez
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Suárez as an international free agent in 2012. Since his debut with the ‘18 Phillies, he owns a career 3.38 ERA over 187 games, including 119 starts. He has pitched to a 3.39 ERA over 116 regular-season starts since the Phillies made him a full-time starter in August ‘21.
Suárez has also shined in the bright spotlights of the postseason, which bodes well for the Red Sox and Team Venezuela as they enter this new year with eyes on their respective prizes. The Phillies have clinched four consecutive playoff berths since ‘22. During that span, which constitutes the entirety of Suarez’s postseason experience thus far, he posted a 1.48 ERA over 11 games, including eight starts.
According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, of the 96 pitchers to reach 35 innings in their first 11 postseason games since earned runs became an official stat in both leagues in 1913, only Orel Hershiser achieved a better ERA (1.47).
