Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Unlikely to return when eligible

Suarez (back) is expected to throw a bullpen session either Sunday or Monday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Suarez is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and the left-hander will take the first step toward being activated when he throws his first bullpen session. There was optimism from the Phillies that Suarez would be able to return during the team's four-game series in Arizona that begins Thursday, but that now seems unlikely. The left-hander was placed on the IL with lower-back soreness last week and considering Philadelphia is five games up on Atlanta for first place in the NL East, the team will likely be cautious in its efforts to get him back.