Albert Suárez Elects Free Agency Again as Orioles Continue Roster Shuffle

The Baltimore Orioles lost another layer of pitching depth Thursday when veteran right-hander Albert Suárez elected free agency after clearing outright waivers. The move marked the latest chapter in one of the strangest roster relationships in baseball this season.

Baltimore designated Suárez for assignment earlier this week as the club continued to juggle bullpen arms and rotation depth around a battered pitching staff. After no team claimed the 36-year-old on waivers, Suárez rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and instead entered free agency.

This situation already played out once earlier in 2026.

The Orioles designated Suárez for assignment in April, watched him elect free agency, then quickly brought him back on another minor league contract. Baltimore repeated the process multiple times this season as the organization searched for flexibility inside a bullpen that never found stability.

Despite the constant transactions, Suárez gave the Orioles quality innings whenever the club called his number.

The veteran right-hander posted a 2.75 ERA across 19 2/3 innings with Baltimore this season. Suárez filled several different roles during those appearances. Some outings came as bulk relief work. Others came during emergency pitching situations when the Orioles desperately needed innings.

That versatility turned Suárez into one of the Orioles’ most dependable emergency arms over the last two seasons.

Baltimore originally brought Suárez back to affiliated baseball before the 2024 season after successful runs overseas in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league and the Korea Baseball Organization. The move looked minor at the time. It quickly became one of Mike Elias’ better under-the-radar depth signings.

Suárez responded with a strong 2024 campaign. The Venezuelan right-hander logged 133 2/3 innings with a 3.70 ERA while bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. Injuries slowed him during 2025, but Baltimore still trusted him enough to keep bringing him back in 2026.

Numbers beneath the surface painted a more complicated picture this season.

Suárez struck out only 12.3 percent of opposing hitters while issuing walks at an 11.1 percent clip. Opponents also elevated the baseball consistently against him. Still, veteran command, experience and an ability to attack multiple innings helped Suárez survive difficult spots.

The Orioles clearly valued that flexibility.

Baltimore selected Suárez’s contract earlier this month when the club needed immediate bullpen help. That move came alongside the DFA of catcher Maverick Handley and the demotion of reliever Cameron Foster.

The transaction also highlighted the larger issue surrounding the Orioles throughout the season: pitching instability.

Injuries forced Baltimore to cycle through starters, long relievers and Triple-A depth almost weekly. Suárez became one of the organization’s easiest movable pieces because he no longer possessed minor league options and could reject outright assignments.

Now the question becomes whether this separation actually lasts.

Recent history suggests another reunion remains possible.

The Orioles non-tendered Suárez last offseason before eventually re-signing him to a minor league contract in December. Baltimore also allowed him to elect free agency earlier this year before bringing him back almost immediately.

That familiarity matters.

Suárez knows the organization. The Orioles know exactly what they get from him. Contending teams across baseball always search for experienced swingmen capable of eating innings during the summer grind. Even with the roster shuffling, Suárez still owns value around the league because of that role flexibility.

For now, though, the veteran pitcher officially heads back onto the open market.

Baltimore loses another trusted emergency arm.

Suárez gains another opportunity to choose his next landing spot.