The Orioles, Albert Suárez, and Ultimate Roster Manipulation

Look, the Baltimore Orioles have been playing a fascinating game of roster manipulation with right-hander Albert Suárez all year long and it’s time somebody talks about it.

It’s such a small, minute, and largely unimportant storyline to follow, but it’s had my attention since early on.

At 70-76, the Orioles are 17 games out of the top spot in the American League East, they’re comfortably on the outside looking in in regards to the playoff picture, and they traded away Adley Rutschman, Taylor Ward, Dean Kremer, and Tyler Wells at the deadline.

Point being, there’s just not a whole lot going on that’s more interesting than this life-altering back-and-forth the team has going on with Suárez.

On Wednesday, the Orioles cut bait with the 36-year-old for the fourth time this season. What makes this such a quirky development is the fact that he immediately re-signs in Baltimore every single time.

Is it likely that this time will be any different? Nope.

Is this the type of under-the-radar occurrence that keeps me intrigued all year long, to the point where I just need to write a story about it? You bet.

Relationship Status: ‘It’s Complicated’

Suárez, who will be 37 in just under a month, has had a complicated relationship with the Orioles for years now, and that has come to a head this season.

Here’s a quick look at how he’s spent his time in 2026:

• April 29: Elected free agency after being DFA’d
• April 30: Re-signed with the Orioles
• May 28: Elected free agency after being DFA’d
• May 29: Re-signed with the Orioles
• August 24: Elected free agency after being DFA’d
• August 27: Re-signed with the Orioles
• September 9: Elected free agency after being DFA’d

You don’t need to be a critical thinker or a problem solver to piece together what will happen next.

The first time Suárez was DFA’d, it was to welcome closer Ryan Helsley back from the bereavement list, and it was just one day after Suárez threw 59 pitches.

Next, Suárez was cut one day after going 2.3 innings in an ugly loss to the New York Yankees. The time after that, he was sent packing after a two-inning showing against those same Yankees.

Most recently, Suárez went three innings against the Boston Red Sox, only to be DFA’d in favor of outfielder Rece Hinds, who took his spot on the expanded 28-man active roster.

Throughout all of the constant moves and uncertainty, Suárez has shockingly remained a slightly above-average pitcher on the mound. To date, he’s made 27 relief appearances for the Orioles, and while his 4.12 ERA and 4.48 FIP don’t exactly scream “All-Star”, he’s got a 101 ERA+, which puts his overall production on the year exactly 1% above average.

Previously, Suárez been a legitimately useful arm for this very same Orioles team, putting up 2.4 bWAR and making 24 starts for the 2024 squad. That year, his ERA+ was up to 105, so it’s not like he’s some a nobody looking to make a name for himself.

Suárez sports a five-pitch mix that is highlighted by a low-90s four-seam fastball that batters are hitting .254 against this year. He’s not a high-strikeout arm, most of his Baseball Savant page is blue, and he’s only been worth 0.1 bWAR. I get it, there’s not a whole lot to write home about; but that doesn’t mean there’s no place for him on this Orioles team, and that’s exactly why the two sides just can’t keep stay away from the other.

Why This Works for the Orioles and Albert Suarez

What this unique strategy does is it keeps Suárez paid and employed, and it essentially gives the Orioles an unofficial “41st man” on their 40-man roster.

Since the right-hander is out of minor league options, he can’t be freely sent down to the minors. Instead, the Orioles have to designate him for assignment, wait for him to clear waivers, and then allow him to re-enter the open market when he clears.

That’s exactly what’s happened every time so far, but he’s been willing to re-up with Baltimore consistently and return to be an innings-eater when they need one.

There’s a ton of familiarity between the two sides, and it’s safe to assume that they give him the opportunity to test the open market in case there are any other clubs willing to give him an immediate spot on their big league roster. When there are no bites, they simply welcome him back with open arms.

It just works.

All year long, he’s been used in multi-inning capacities (he’s got 59 innings pitched in just 27 outings and he’s only gone a single inning six times) and has been a flexible emergency arm every time the team has needed one.

Interestingly enough, Suárez can comfortably be considered the Orioles’ best multi-inning relief pitcher this season. No other arm on their staff has been used as frequently as he has in extended outings, but it’s a strange-but-true fact to state that none of them have also become unemployed as often as Suárez has this year. Baseball is a fun sport.

Even if the stats don’t tell a very promising story, this is a legitimately valuable asset. Sometimes teams (especially ones lower down in the standings) just need a player with a pulse, two arms, and two legs, who can help them push through a tough year. That’s what Suárez has been for the Orioles in the current campaign specifically.

Other Recent Examples of This ‘Strategy’

It’s not often that teams employ this way of roster management, but it has happened before. Heck, earlier this year, the Atlanta Braves and Carlos Carrasco played a similar game, one that actually consisted of even more transactions than the one between Suárez and the Orioles. Here’s a look at Carrasco’s wild year:

• May 1: Elected free agency
• May 1: Re-signed with the Braves
• May 7: Elected free agency
• May 8: Re-signed with the Braves
• May 31: Elected free agency
• June 1: Re-signed with the Braves
• June 12: Elected free agency
• June 14: Re-signed with the Braves
• June 26: Elected free agency
• June 27: Re-signed with the Braves
• July 8: Elected free agency
• July 9: Re-signed with the Braves
• July 21: Released
• July 22: Signed with the LG Twins in the KBO

The whackiest part of this? Carrasco made just eight MLB appearances (5.94 ERA in 16.2 IP) during this stretch.

Last year, this happened twice as well.

The Seattle Mariners used right-hander Casey Lawrence while those very same Braves used Jesse Chavez in similar fashions. Both of these players were the pure definition of “41st man” on team’s rosters.

Here’s a look at how Chavez spent his time last year:

• March 22: Signed MiLB deal with Braves
• April 3: Elected free agency
• April 4: Re-signed with Braves
• April 29: Elected free agency
• May 1: Re-signed with Braves
• July 21: Elected free agency
• July 24: Retired

Lawrence’s journey is especially interesting because it involved two separate teams instead of just one.

• April 26: Elected free agency
• April 17: Re-signed with the Mariners
• April 22: Outrighted to Triple-A
• April 23: Selected to MLB roster
• April 26: DFA by Mariners
• April 28: Claimed off waivers by Toronto Blue Jays
• April 29: DFA’d by Blue Jays
• May 2: Elected free agency
• May 7: Re-signed with Mariners
• May 24: Elected free agency
• May 24: Re-signed with Mariners
• June 9: Elected free agency
• June 10: Re-signed with Mariners
• November 6: Elected free agency
• November 26: Re-signed with Mariners
• August 10, 2026: Opted out of Mariners MiLB deal

Closing Thoughts

One of the many things I love about baseball is how many unique storylines present themselves in each and every season.

Having been a fan of this game for decades now, it’s so fascinating to be able to experience the Mike Trout dominance, the Shohei Ohtani mega-contracts, and the Juan Soto blockbusters, while also being able to follow the journey of an aging journeyman like Albert Suárez as him and the Orioles piece together a love story better than Twilight.

Being signed, cut, and re-signed definitely happens on a consistent basis, but when it happens this many times in one year, it earns my attention. Suárez is nearing the end of his career and the Orioles need a pitcher who can go multiple innings at a time. It’s not a perfect matchup, but it’s a scenario that’s working out just fine for both sides this season.