Ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Boston Red Sox rotation got a major boost, as the team announced that left-handed starter Ranger Suarez was activated from the 15-day injured list. 

The 30-year-old All-Star exited his start on July 5 against the Los Angeles Angels after only 2.2 innings thanks to a left adductor strain, which occurred as he was delivering a pitch to Los Angeles right fielder Jo Adell. 

Suarez was spotted throwing in the outfield grass ahead of the team's July 7 series opener against the Chicago White Sox, telling reporters that he would attempt to throw a bullpen session before determining the next steps. Suarez opted not to throw the bullpen ahead of the series finale in Chicago, instead landing on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain. 

Suarez's spot in the rotation had been filled in part by hard-throwing left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who made two starts as an opener in the All-Star absence, allowing three earned runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking four across six innings of work before giving way to the Boston bullpen.

Boston had planned to activate their All-Star left-hander ahead of Tuesday's rainout against the Baltimore Orioles, but instead chose to scratch him earlier in the day, citing some lingering soreness from his Monday workout, paired with an illness causing him to lose some strength. 

Suarez has been one of Boston's best starters in the absence of 2025 Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet, who has been on the injured list since April 29 with a left shoulder strain. In 12 starts since Crochet last appeared for the Red Sox, Suarez has held opponent batters to a .229 batting average, while posting a 2.80 ERA across 64.2 innings, the 18th-best mark in baseball among starters with at least 60 innings of work in that time frame, and second to only Sonny Gray (1.94 ERA in that span) among Red Sox starters. 

Left-handed reliever Alec Gamboa was optioned to make room on the 26-man roster. 

The 29-year-old made two appearances for the Red Sox after being named the 27th man ahead of Wednesday’s doubleheader, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one. Gamboa covered the final four innings of Saturday’s 6-0 loss to Toronto allowing the Boston bullpen to get a day of much needed rest. Overall Gamboa has posted a 2.08 ERA across seven appearances in five different stints with the major league club. 

The Red Sox will look to make it six consecutive series wins as they take on the Blue Jays in Sunday’s rubber match. Suarez (4-3, 3.15 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Kevin Gausman (4-9, 4.51 ERA) for Toronto. First pitch from Fenway Park is set for 1:35 p.m. ET. 

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