Albert Suárez has been a savior for the Orioles’ injury-riddled rotation, which has lost four starters because of injuries.
Suárez came up huge in his last start, throwing a career-high 6.2 scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 11. Manager Brandon Hyde faced some questions about removing Suárez after the right-hander retired 13 of his final 14 batters. The bullpen faltered, allowing the tying run in the seventh inning and go-ahead run in the eighth.
“I don’t control that. I only control what I can do on the mound,” Suárez told the media after the game about being removed. “For me, just do what is the best to help the team.”
Suárez is 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 24 appearances (16 starts) and could be an anchor down the stretch for a rotation that has lost Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, John Means and Grayson Rodriguez to injuries.
The Orioles (70-49) have managed to stay atop the AL East despite the adversity.
Prior to this season, Suárez had not pitched in the majors since Sept. 26, 2017, when he was a member of the San Francisco Giants. He pitched for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2019-2021) and Samsung Lions (2022-2023) before joining the Orioles.
However, Suárez has become a godsend for the Orioles. In April, he became the first pitcher, since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893, to throw five or more scoreless innings in each of his first two appearances after not appearing in MLB for at least five years, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“I always try to start aggressive and make pitches,” Suárez said earlier this year. “I think that is something that works well. The fastball is my best pitch and I have a lot of confidence with it. I feel like if I can locate it any time, I’m going to get good results.”
Suárez originally signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2006 as an international free agent at age 16 but never reached the major league level with the club. He later signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels ahead of the 2015 season, but once again, he did not earn a promotion to the major leagues and elected free agency.
Suárez signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2016 season. He made his MLB debut on May 8, 2016, throwing one scoreless inning of relief against the Rockies. He went 3-5 with a 4.29 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 54 strikeouts across 22 games (12 starts) that season.
Suárez then spent time in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before pitching in Japan and South Korea. He now appears to have found a home with the Orioles, who desperately need him.
Hyde has credited the club’s pro scouting department for finding Suárez.
“It’s amazing for me and a good feeling to be here,” the right-hander said.
Late-Season Reinforcements?
In addition to Rodriguez, Danny Coulombe, Jacob Webb and Jordan Westburg are on the injured list. However, each of those players could be back in action before the end of the season to help the Orioles during the stretch run.
Rodriguez is dealing with a right lat/teres issue. He had a similar injury in 2022 that kept him out for three months, but the Orioles expect Rodriguez back in the rotation by late September this time around.
Coulombe has been ruled out until September following a procedure to remove bone chips in his elbow. He was one of the Orioles’ most effective pitchers, posting a 2.42 ERA and 0.615 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and three walks in 29 appearances (26 innings) this season. Coulombe will be a huge boost to the bullpen when he returns.
Webb is on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, but he doesn’t have any structural damage that would keep him out long term. He could be back in the bullpen in about two weeks, according to Orioles general manager Mike Elias.
Westburg sustained a broken right hand when he was hit by a pitch from Yerry Rodríguez in the fifth inning of a 10-4 win to the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 1. Hyde is hopeful Westburg can return to the lineup before the end of the regular season.
Lightning In A Bottle
Eloy Jiménez has been one of the Orioles’ hottest hitters since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox on July 30.
Jiménez, 27, has four multi-hit efforts as an Oriole, going 12-for-24 with two doubles and four RBIs across eight games.
Jiménez was considered an ascending star when he signed a six-year, $43 million deal with the White Sox in March 2019 before ever playing in a big league game. However, his career in Chicago was marred by injuries. He is mostly restricted to DH duty at this point.
Another Important Homestand
The Orioles open a six-game homestand beginning Aug. 13 against the Washington Nationals, who are in fourth place in the National League East. The Orioles split a two-game series with Washington in May.
Trevor Rogers (2-10, 4.71 ERA) will start the opener for the Orioles against Washington’s Jake Irvin (8-10, 3.76 ERA). Then, Dean Kremer (4-9, 4.70 ERA) will start the second game against lefty DJ Herz (2-4, 4.41 ERA).
The Red Sox then visit Camden Yards for an important four-game series beginning Aug. 15. The Orioles have not named a starter for that game yet.
Boston is in third place in the AL East at 62-55, seven games behind the Orioles.
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