The Phillies are facing the possibility of being without one of their starting rotation regulars to start the 2025 season.

Ranger Suarez was scratched from his Friday start against the Toronto Blue Jays as he is dealing with back stiffness, the same injury that forced him to miss a month out of the 2024 season.

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According to reports out of the team’s spring training camp in Clearwater, Florida Wednesday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said it’s possible Suarez will begin the season on the injured list, but “we’ll know more in the next couple of days.”

Philadelphia Phillies Ranger Suarez back injury
Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts as he walks back to the dugout after being relieved against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning in Game Three of the National League Championship Series…


Harry How/Getty Images

If Suarez can’t go, veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker figures to be the Phillies’ fifth starter to begin the season. Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola and Jesus Luzardo give the Phillies enviable depth, but Walker is a major question mark.

In four spring training starts, Walker has allowed 19 hits, 10 runs, and struck out only six batters across 13 innings.

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Last season, Walker was limited to 19 games (15 starts) because of inflammation in his right index finger. The 32-year-old went 3-7 with a 7.10 ERA when healthy.

Suarez, 29, went 12-8 with a 3.46 ERA in 27 starts last season, striking out 145 batters in 150.2 innings.

More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.