Dave Dombrowski says the Phillies remain confident in their pitching depth — and

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A few minutes past 9 a.m. Sunday, Ranger Suárez scaled a bullpen mound hard by a side entrance to the Phillies’ clubhouse and made the most significant pitches of the day.

It was uneventful.

That’s a good thing, by the way. The left forearm soreness that caused Suárez to return from the World Baseball Classic two weeks ago was gone. He’s scheduled for another bullpen session in a few days. At this point, the Phillies believe he will be ready to break camp with the team, even if initially he won’t be able to throw as many innings as the other starters.

And just like that, some of the anxiety about the starting rotation depth melted away.

“Well, you’re always concerned about the rotation depth,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “I don’t care if we’d have signed five guys. That’s something that’s always in the back of your mind.”

The Phillies were active in the minor-league free-agent pitching market, according to Dombrowski, but came up mostly empty because they couldn’t guarantee innings in a rotation that includes Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Taijuan Walker, and Suárez. In addition, they were committed to top prospect Andrew Painter or lefty Bailey Falter for the fifth-starter spot.

But Painter hasn’t picked up a ball since March 1 because of a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Depth starters Cristopher Sánchez (triceps) and Nick Nelson (hamstring) are banged up. Touted prospects Mick Abel and Griff McGarry aren’t ready yet.

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The good news, according to Dombrowski: Painter could begin a light throwing program within seven to 10 days. Based on feedback from multiple doctors, including prominent orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache, and given the location of the sprain, the Phillies remain confident that Painter will avoid surgery.

Still, Dombrowski will hold his breath until the 19-year-old phenom actually throws a ball again.

“If they felt strongly that surgery was needed, they would have done that,” Dombrowski said. “But sure, you would like him to get out there and throw hard and be ready to go as he normally would be.”

Dombrowski went further, saying he believes Painter will pitch for the Phillies this season “for sure.” But with Painter out of the mix for now, Falter is the strong favorite for the No. 5 starter spot. Behind him, lefty Michael Plassmeyer is the next-best healthy option on the 40-man roster. The Phillies are stretching out lefty reliever Matt Strahm for multi-inning appearances and possible spot starts.

It all raises the question of whether the Phillies are equipped to handle multiple injuries in the rotation.

“We tried to…