Albert Suárez, #92 of the Baltimore Orioles, poses for a portrait during photo day in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Albert Suarez made a statement with 5.2 shutout innings against the Minnesota Twins in his MLB return on April 17. Suarez struck out four Twins and gave up three hits in 5.2 scoreless innings in the Orioles’ 4-2 win over the Twins.
Albert Suarez was out of the MLB for seven years. His last appearance was with the San Francisco Giants in 2017.
In 2006, Suarez signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent out of Venezuela. He made his professional debut in the Rays Rookie Ball team in 2008. He pitched in their minor league system for six seasons through the 2014 season and made it to their Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits.
In the 2014 offseason, he signed a Minor League deal with the Los Angeles Angels and pitched for their Double-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. He was named an All-Star in the Texas League in 2015. He threw 163 innings, with 121 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.98. Suarez elected free agency after the season.
He signed a Minor League deal with the Giants in the offseason of 2015 and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. He was promoted to the Giants on May 8, 2016, and made his MLB debut against the Colorado Rockies.
Suarez started 12 games with the Giants and pitched ten games out of the bullpen in 2016. His numbers were 84 innings, 54 strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.29.
In 2017, he didn’t start any games and pitched 18 games out of the bullpen for the Giants. He pitched 31.2 innings, 34 strikeouts, one save, and an ERA of 5.12. Suarez was left unprotected, and the Diamondbacks selected him in the Rule 5 Draft on December 14, 2017.
Suarez pitched for the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces, in 2018. He pitched 63.1 innings, with 51 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.97. After the season, Suarez elected free agency.
The Baltimore Orioles signed him to a Minor League deal on September 15, 2023. He was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides. Suarez also began 2024 with the Tides and was called up to the Orioles on April 17.
His MLB career numbers are 121.1 innings, 92 strikeouts, and an ERA 4.30.
