The Orioles announced that they have signed right-hander Albert Suárez to a minor league deal. The righty will presumably receive an invite to big league camp in spring training, though the O’s didn’t explicitly say so.
Suárez, now 36, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles ahead of the 2024 season. At that time, he had spent a number of years pitching in Japan and South Korea. The deal worked out well for Suárez and the O’s last year. He was added to the roster in April and gave Baltimore 133 2/3 innings as a swingman with a 3.70 earned run average.
Unfortunately, 2025 wasn’t as pleasant. A subscapularis strain in his throwing shoulder put him on the shelf after just one appearance. He came off the injured list in September and made four appearances before going back on the IL, this time due to right elbow discomfort. The team announced in October that Suárez had a mild flexor strain and would avoid surgery.
Suárez crossed three years of service time in 2025, qualifying him for arbitration. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for just $900K, barely above next year’s $780K league minimum. The O’s decided not to tender him a contract after his injury-marred season. That sent him to free agency without being exposed to waivers, allowing them to re-sign him in a non-roster capacity.
Assuming he’s healthy in the spring, he can try to earn his way back onto the roster. Baltimore’s current rotation mix includes Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Cade Povich, Tyler Wells, Chayce McDermott and Brandon Young. The O’s are expected to add to that group before the offseason is out. As the season goes along, injuries will surely pop up and Suárez may be needed for a spot start or a long relief role.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
Welcome back, Al!
36yrs old and still making the league minimum… oof. Hope those yrs overseas paid well
League minimum is still 10x or more what most people make. I think he will be ok.
There will be 5 Suarez’s with MLB organizations, and only 3 Smith’s and only 2 Jones … how about that!
bucsfan0004 Any player (especially a 36 yr old) who can stay a full seasons in the majors SHOULD be able to live fairly comfortable making the league minimum of $780,000.00 even taking taxes & agent fees in consideration.
Not in CA or NY!
He has 3yrs service time. In 2016 and 2017 the league min was less. So he’s 36 and made roughly $1.5M in MLB earnings before 2026 (Google says $1.4M, 2.3M after 2026). Probably took home half of that with taxes/fees/etc. So i stand by my “oof” comment
A good depth piece if he can stay healthy.
Very much so.
too many suarezes or suari or whatever you call it
What last name do you prefer kind sir?
it’s not what I prefer – there are just a lot of them in FA this offseason.
It’s a minor league deal – zero downside and they we not done
We need the Bob’s, Bill’s, Jim’s, and Tom’s back.
Good! Good. Big Al WILL pitch for the O’s in 2026, no doubt.
I love this signing! He’s a great depth piece and he can start or work long relief.
Great news. Now sign Ranger and bring back Eflin for depth .
Glad he’s back in the fold. True competitor.
Glad he’s back. They missed him last year. I worry his arm will explode, but there’s no risk here.
Tonight we gonna party like it’s twenty twenty four