BALTIMORE — A surprise standout during the Orioles’ 2024 season is back in the organization.
On Wednesday, Baltimore announced it has agreed to terms with right-hander Albert Suárez on a Minor League deal for the 2026 season. The news came during a series of roster moves, with infielder Willy Vasquez agreeing to a Minor League contract for next year, catcher Maverick Handley clearing outright waivers and being assigned to Triple-A Norfolk and catcher Drew Romo getting claimed off waivers by the Mets.
After pitching in Japan (2019-21) and Korea (2022-23), Suárez returned to MLB for the ‘24 season, when he became a key contributor during the O’s run to a second consecutive postseason appearance. The Venezuelan righty recorded a 3.70 ERA in 32 games (24 starts) to help the Orioles go 91-71 and seize an American League Wild Card berth.
Suárez made Baltimore’s Opening Day roster for the first time in 2025, though his year later became marred by injuries. He was on the injured list from March 29-Sept. 1 due to a right subscapularis strain, then returned to the IL on Sept. 15 due to right elbow discomfort that ended his season. Suárez had a 2.31 ERA in five appearances (one start).
On Oct. 7, Suárez met with Dr. Keith Meister, who diagnosed the discomfort as a mild forearm flexor strain. Suárez was scheduled to begin a throwing progression shortly after, and the Orioles expected him to be ready to go by the beginning of Spring Training.
However, Baltimore went on to non-tender Suárez on Nov. 21, opting to part ways rather than go through the arbitration process. At the time, president of baseball operations Mike Elias expressed optimism that a reunion with Suárez could materialize down the line.
“We love Albert,” Elias said at the time. “He’s been a tremendous success story for us since our pro scouts and [vice president of pro scouting] Mike Snyder’s group found him coming out of Asia — what our pitching department did to develop him, and then what he did particularly in 2024. And it was a real bummer, and it was a big part of a lot of the struggles we had last [season], that he got hurt. …
“We very much are fans of Albert, and we’re very much hoping to continue talking to him and made that clear to him and his group. And I hope the feeling’s mutual.”
Suárez’s MLB career began with the Giants, with whom he posted a 4.51 ERA in 40 games (12 starts) across the 2016 and ‘17 seasons.
The Orioles are currently looking to bolster their pitching staff, as their rotation needs at least one upgrade prior to the 2026 season. Though Suárez is unlikely to begin the year in Baltimore’s rotation, he’ll provide needed depth, even if he opens the season at Triple-A Norfolk.
It’s also possible that Suárez will become a candidate for the O’s Opening Day bullpen. He has thrived in a multi-inning relief role at times, and the team doesn’t have many options to serve as a long man, outside of left-hander Dietrich Enns.
So the reunion with Suárez is a low-risk move that could potentially yield a high reward, especially if he can stay healthy and get back to the impressive form he showed in 2024.
