Suarez agreed to a five-year, $46 million contract with the Padres on Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
The right-hander recently declined his $5 million player option for 2023 to become a free agent, but he quickly reached a new deal with the Friars. Suarez, once he recovered from a knee injury, pitched well in the late innings for San Diego last year and had a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB across 47.2 innings, and he should fill a high-leverage role again in 2023.
Suarez declined his $5 million player option for 2023 and became a free agent Monday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Suarez joined the Padres on a one-year, $5 million deal last December and was a candidate to contend for the club's vacant closing role in spring training after he had been a prolific end gamer while pitching overseas in Japan in 2020 and 2021, but he never gained much traction as San Diego's ninth-inning man. Even so, Suarez still found a niche in the late innings as a setup man and thrived in that capacity, notching a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB in 47.2 innings while collecting 12 holds and one save. Suarez could look to find a home this winter with a team that may give him a clearer path to a closing gig, but at the very least, he should net a bigger contract in free agency after excelling in his first season back in North America.
Suarez picked up a hold against the Cardinals on Wednesday with a perfect inning of work.
Padres starter Blake Snell tossed seven scoreless frames before departing having thrown 117 pitches. Suarez was called upon to be the bridge to closer Josh Hader and needed just 12 pitches to retire St. Louis in order. It was the former's seventh outing in September, and he's yet to give up a run this month. Suarez has emerged as a key high-leverage arm for San Diego this season, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 49:18 K:BB over 41 innings while notching four wins, one save and 10 holds.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Works eighth inning Sunday
Rotowire
Suarez earned a hold against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters in one inning of work.
When closer Josh Hader was demoted out of the role Saturday, some though Suarez could be first in line to soak up his save opportunities. That hasn't been the case so far, as Luis Garcia got a save Saturday and Nick Martinez notched one Sunday. Suarez was chosen to work the eighth inning in Sunday's contest, and he recorded his sixth straight scoreless appearance despite surrendering a pair of hits. There's still a chance Suarez could get an occasional closing chance while Hader tries to regain his form, but it's evident that he'll compete with others for such opportunities.
Suarez could see save chances after manager Bob Melvin told Dennis Lin of The Athletic that the team will give Josh Hader "a little break" from the closer role.
Suarez lost a large chunk of the campaign to a knee injury, but he's been great since his return, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings. Following back-to-back scoreless, multi-strikeout appearances, Suarez is now down to a 2.67 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for the season. He was a star closer in Japan before making the jump to MLB this year.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Allows run in return
Rotowire
Suarez pitched one inning against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits. He didn't strike out or walk any batters.
Suarez missed two months due to knee surgery, and this was his first appearance for San Diego following a minor-league rehab stint that kicked off in late July. The right-hander showed some rust, allowing a run on a pair of doubles. The Padres were down by four when Suarez entered the game in the eighth inning, so this was an opportunity for the reliever to get in some work in a low-leverage situation. He'll likely function in more of a setup role once he gets ramped back up.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Back from injured list
Rotowire
Suarez (knee) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Suarez returns to the 40-man and 26-man rosters after he underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee back in June. A star closer in Japan, Suarez has earned only one save to date in his rookie season in Major League Baseball. However, he's proven to be a more-than-capable bullpen arm with a 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB in 22 appearances.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Suarez (knee) began a rehab assignment Tuesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Suarez landed on the injured list after undergoing knee surgery in early June, but he is ready for the final step in his recovery. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier this month, but he could be ready to return when first eligible Aug. 5.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Suarez (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Suarez has been sidelined for the past month after undergoing knee surgery, and he'll now remain on the shelf until at least early August. The right-hander recently progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, and he should continue building up his workload over the next few weeks.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Tosses bullpen session
Rotowire
Suarez (knee) threw a bullpen session Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Suarez had orthoscopic surgery on his right knee June 9, and he's been working through a throwing progression since early July. The bullpen session Friday was his first since the surgery was performed. Suarez could be back shortly after the All-Star break. He posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 23.1 innings while notching a save, two wins and five holds before going on the shelf.
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Padres' Robert Suarez: Undergoes knee surgery
Rotowire
Suarez recently underwent knee surgery to clean up "some loose impediments" and will be shut down for a few weeks, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
While it's discouraging that Suarez required a procedure to address his knee injury, it seems unlikely that he'll require a significant absence. The right-hander will spend more than the minimum of 15 days on the injured list, and a better timetable for his return should come into focus once he ultimately resumes throwing.
