Phillies to Have Strahm Start Game 5

Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced that left-hander Matt Strahm will start the fifth game of the season against the Yankees, taking the place of the injured Ranger Suarez the first time through the rotation.

NL Notes: Strahm, Mendick, Hamels, Panik https://t.co/GAJXPatkjB pic.twitter.com/AS2NrUJrNm
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Suarez is dealing with elbow inflammation and obviously won't be ready for the first trip through the rotation. So in steps Strahm, a seven-year veteran, who has made 25 career starts.

He spent last season with the Red Sox, appearing in 50 games and pitching to a 3.83 ERA. He did make one start in 2021 for the Padres but hasn't done major work out of the rotation since making 16 starts for the Padres in 2019.

For his career, Strahm holds a 3.81 ERA but he has 5.08 ERA as a starter in those 25 starts.

This is a good opportunity for Strahm, who made note last year with Boston that he would like to explore starting again in his career, so we'll see if he can make an impression on the Phillies for potential additional starter use.

He'll join a rotation of aces with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, as well as the newly-signed Taijuan Walker and lefty Bailey Falter.

The Phillies, who advanced to the World Series last year before being beaten by the Astros, figure to be exceptionally strong again this year after adding Walker and WBC star Trea Turner. The National League division race will be enthralling all summer as Philly dukes it out with the Braves and Mets, who both loaded up this offseason as well.

The Phillies open up the season on Thursday at the Texas Rangers. First pitch is 4:10 EST.