Jose

Suarez

The financial terms of the deal are not yet available. Suarez did a nice job in limited work with Atlanta after coming over from Los Angeles, and should compete for one of the final spots in the rotation this spring.

It’s extremely rare to see a save credited in a contest where one side led by nearly a touchdown for most of it, but Suarez will get the second one of his career after scattering five hits over three shutout frames. The 27-year-old lefty has looked rejuvenated with a change of scenery, posting a strong 1.96 ERA across 18 1/3 innings over six appearances for Atlanta since coming over from the Angels back in March.

Suarez had struck out eight on three occasions with the Angels, most recently in 2022. He was just added to the Atlanta roster to start in the doubleheader today, and it’s unclear whether he’ll get the chance to stick around. He made a nice case for it, though, and he’ll have to go on waivers if the Braves do try to demote him.

The 27-year-old has a 2.45 ERA and 5/7 K/BB ratio in 7 1/3 innings for Atlanta so far this season. He will get the start on Tuesday against the Nationals in what should be a bullpen game. He shouldn’t be considered for fantasy purposes.

Because Suarez has been sent outright before, the 27-year-old can elect free agency if he wants. The southpaw went unclaimed after being designated for assignment Sunday.

The Braves needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Scott Blewett on Sunday and it looks like Suarez was the odd man out this time around. The 27-year-old hurler posted a solid 2.45 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a troublesome 5/7 K/BB ratio over 7 1/3 innings with the Braves. He could attract some interest on waivers.

It’s pretty telling what the Braves thought of Anderson that they’d rather take their chances with Suarez, who had a 6.02 ERA in 52 1/3 innings for the Angels last season and a 6.55 ERA this spring. Suarez was effective as a five-inning starter in 2021 and ’22, but he’s struggled with injuries since. The Braves will put him in middle relief and see what happens.

It’s for Ian Anderson. Suarez blew his chance of making the Angels with a 6.55 ERA in spring training. The 27-year-old left-handed needed a good spring after massive struggles in the last two seasons. Suarez had a 6.02 ERA in 2024 and an 8.29 ERA in 2023 while mostly pitching out of the bullpen. He showed more promise prior to ’23 while mostly starting for the Angels, but we assume he’ll have a bullpen role in Atlanta.

Suarez walked two and allowed two homers. The Angels could have non-tendered him over the winter after he struggled to a 6.02 ERA in 52 1/3 innings last season, but they kept him around, intending to use him as a middle reliever. He entered today with a 2.57 ERA and a 9/1 K/BB in seven innings, so he still should have a decent chance of making the team.

The 27-year-old southpaw was projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1.2 million through the arbitration process, so it looks like a fair deal for both sides. Suarez was hit extremely hard throughout the 2024 season, posting a cringe-inducing 6.02 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 56/27 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings in his 22 appearances (three starts). He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.