Robert

Suarez

That explains why the 34-year-old hurler wasn’t seen around camp when pitchers and catchers reported. No word yet on how long Suarez will need to resolve the visa issue, but it won’t impact his availability for the start of the regular season. He’s expected to function in a setup capacity in front of incumbent closer Raisel Iglesias.

The deal, which is now official, includes a $1.25 million buyout, which guarantees Kinley at least $4.25 million to return to Atlanta’s high-leverage mix just a few weeks after the club declined his $5.5 million option for 2026. The 34-year-old veteran reliever finished last season with a respectable 3.96 ERA — 3.69 FIP — 1.18 WHIP and 73/33 K/BB ratio across a career-high 72 2/3 innings split between the Rockies and Braves. He’ll help bridge the gap to Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias along with new high-priced setup man Robert Suarez.

Suarez will make $13 million next season and $16 million each of the following two years, with none of the money being deferred. That means the Braves have committed $47.5 million in 2026 payroll to four relievers in Suarez, Raisel Iglesias ($16 million), Aaron Bummer ($9.5 million) and Joe Jiménez ($9 million). They’re also considering using Reynaldo López ($14 million) as a reliever, though the Suarez addition definitely would seem to give them more incentive to leave him in the rotation. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal said the Braves intend to keep Iglesias in the closer’s role, meaning Suarez will likely pitch the eighth for a year before perhaps resuming closing in 2027. As a result, Suarez, who led the National League with 40 saves for the Padres last season, probably shouldn’t be looked at as a top-25 RP in fantasy leagues heading into next spring.

The three biggest relievers are now off the board, with Suarez joining a Braves team that already re-signed Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal says the plan is for Suarez to set up for Iglesias next season. That Suarez picked the Braves probably means that it’s now safe to look at Devin Williams as a top-10 RP, since there’s no one else the Mets could sign to rival him. The Jays were also thought to be in the mix for Suarez, so this makes Jeff Hoffman a little safer, too. Suarez, who turns 35 in March, led the NL with 40 saves while posting a 2.97 ERA for the Padres last season. He also had 36 saves and a 2,77 ERA in 2024.

Suarez has been linked to the Dodgers and Mets in recent weeks based on reporting from The Athletic’s network of beat reporters. The Blue Jays have an established closer in Jeff Hoffman, but they’re clearly still looking to upgrade the back-end of their bullpen in an effort to make it back to the Fall Classic after coming up just short. The 34-year-old former Padres stopper has been one of the better closers in the fantasy landscape over the past few seasons and will likely remain an elite option regardless of where he ends up.

Fairbanks just doesn’t seem to be on the team’s list at all, and Díaz is looking for more years than Suarez and also has the qualifying offer hanging over his head. Suarez is pretty clearly the No. 2 reliever on a market that has lost previous Dodgers targets Devin Williams, Raisel Iglesias and Ryan Helsley. Of course, old friend Kenley Jansen is still out there, too.

The team would prefer a three-year deal and has been in contact with Devin Williams and Robert Suarez as potential alternatives to Díaz in the ninth. Díaz, 31, opted out of his previous five-year deal with the Mets this winter. He was set to make $38 million over the last two seasons of the contract.

This was a no-brainer for Suarez, who was due to make $8 million each of the next two seasons. He’ll probably double that in free agency, though he won’t be in line for a particularly long-term deal as he enters his age-35 campaign. Suarez led the NL with 40 saves and finished with a 2.97 ERA and a 75/16 K/BB in 69 2/3 innings last season. His exit paves the way for Mason Miller to take over as the Padres’ closer, though the team is weighing returning him to the rotation instead.

Suarez was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the eighth inning and got some help from defensive wizard Fernando Tatis Jr., who made a tremendous grab in the right-field corner to end the frame. The 34-year-old stopper came back out to work the final frame and managed to slam the door. He got Ian Happ to fly out harmlessly to left field before surrendering a one-out single to Kyle Tucker, which made things interesting. He managed to escape the jam by coaxing a game-ending double play from Seiya Suzuki to seal the win.

Suarez struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to close out the White Sox on Sunday. The 34-year-old right-hander has been an elite closer this year, proving to be one of the biggest draft day bargains. Suarez has a 3.06 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72 strikeouts on the season.