Red Sox complete sweep of Angels, but left awaiting news after All-Star starter Ranger Suarez leaves injured

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Red Sox’ rotation is about to face another test — maybe its biggest yet.

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In a 7-5, sweep-completing win over the Angels on Sunday night, Ranger Suarez walked slowly off the field during the third inning. The team said he was dealing with tightness in his left adductor, a muscle in the groin, creating the possibility of a second injury to a starting pitcher in the same turn through the rotation.

The Sox’ bullpen handled the rest — five guys allowing two runs over 6⅓ innings — to complete an eighth win in 10 games, by far the Sox’ best stretch of the season.

But the game’s longer-term relevance revolves around Suarez.

“Any time you see that, you’re concerned,” interim manager Chad Tracy said.

The Red Sox will take a wait-and-see approach. Following their redeye flight to Chicago, they will examine Suarez again Monday before determining whether to send him for an MRI and broaching the injured-list question.

After the game, Suarez said his groin was “the same” as it did when he exited. He felt “a big pinch,” he explained, when he threw what turned out to be his last pitch, a curveball that Jo Adell bounced over the mound for a single. Suarez tried throwing one warmup pitch before leaving.

“It’s only been two hours,” Suarez said through an interpreter when asked about whether the IL was a possibility. “The training staff wants to wait to see how I feel tomorrow and the next day.”

Already, the Red Sox (40-48) are missing Connelly Early, who was diagnosed with left elbow inflammation and is seeking a second opinion from a renowned orthopedic surgeon this week. Losing Suarez would mean needing to call on a couple of subs, the five-man rotation having dwindled to three.

The group of Suarez, Early, Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, and Jake Bennett has combined for a 3.12 ERA. Early (91⅔ innings) and Suarez (91⅓) are the team’s workload leaders.

“Those two are tough losses for sure, especially those two lefties. They’ve been nothing but great,” Willson Contreras said. “With Ranger, hopefully it’s nothing serious.”

Foremost among depth starter options is Patrick Sandoval, who appears ready to return to the majors more than two years removed from Tommy John surgery. With Triple-A Worcester are Brayan Bello, who has a 4.34 ERA in four games since being demoted, and righthanders Jack Anderson and Tyler Uberstine.

“Hopefully the next guy is able to step up. We’re going to be waiting for him, make him feel like part of the team,” Contreras said. “I’m pretty sure that [pitching coach Andrew] Bailey is gonna get together with whoever is coming, and they’re gonna do a great job. I really have confidence and trust in this group, and I think we’re gonna keep this momentum going.”

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The timing of any sort of health setback is unfortunate for Suarez, who on Saturday was named an All-Star for the second time in his career. In 2024, he had to skip the game because of a back problem. If he misses it again, it could open a spot for Gray.

From 2023-25, Suarez had a 2.81 ERA before the All-Star break and a 4.73 ERA after.

“Right now, no, I’m not thinking about [the All-Star Game],” Suarez said. “The most important thing is to be as healthy as possible for the second half.”

Before his departure, Suarez had been having a rough go, allowing three runs and six hits in 2⅔ innings. He struck out five and walked none.

Against righthander Ryan Johnson, the Sox totaled five runs (two earned) in four innings.

The clubs combined for eight runs and four tying or go-ahead plays across the first three innings.

In the top of the second, Jarren Duran’s two-out, two-run home run tied it.

“It’s been frustrating,” said Duran, who went 2 for 3 to raise his average to .197. “But also relieved to hit the ball hard and it not find somebody’s glove. So that’s always a bonus.”

In the third, shortstop Zach Neto muffed a two-out grounder, extending the inning. Willson Contreras made him pay one pitch later with a three-run home run — hit an estimated 446 feet to left field — to give the Sox what wound up being a permanent lead.

For Contreras, who was allowed to play all weekend as he awaits the appeal of his seven-game suspension following a brawl with the Nationals last week, it was a second long ball in as many days and his 20th of the season.

Contreras’s career high for homers: 24 in 2019.

“This year has been good to me,” he said. “Feels good to already have 20. Not putting pressure on myself to reach some number. Just trying to play every single day like it’s my last game.”

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