The Baltimore Orioles designated right-hander Albert Suárez for assignment on Friday to create a roster spot for the recall of reliever Anthony Nunez from Triple-A Norfolk.
The move came after a taxing series against the New York Yankees in which the Orioles were swept and their bullpen was heavily used. Suárez, who worked two innings and threw 36 pitches in Thursday’s 6-1 loss, had pitched in three of the previous five days.
Nunez, a 24-year-old who made the Opening Day roster and has recorded three saves this season, provides a fresher arm as Baltimore tries to halt a four-game losing streak.
The Orioles entered Friday at 61-67, 15.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.
Suárez, 36, has been a familiar face in Baltimore since signing a minor-league deal before the 2024 season. The Venezuelan right-hander first reached the majors with the San Francisco Giants in 2016 and spent several seasons in Japan and South Korea before returning to MLB.
His 2024 campaign with the Orioles marked a notable success: he went 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA across 133 2/3 innings, making 24 starts and eight relief appearances. That workload and production represented a career high and helped stabilize a rotation that needed innings.
Injuries limited him to just 11 2/3 innings in 2025. The Orioles non-tendered him that winter but brought him back on another minor-league contract. In 2026 he has served primarily as a long reliever and innings-eater, posting a 3.93 ERA over 55 innings in 25 appearances.
He has repeatedly been designated for assignment this season because he is out of minor-league options, only to clear waivers and return to the organization. This latest DFA is his fourth of the year.
The Orioles now have seven days to trade Suárez or place him on waivers.
Given his recent history of clearing unclaimed and the team’s pattern of re-signing him, another return on a new deal remains possible if he is not claimed.
For a club navigating a difficult season, Suárez has provided useful length when the bullpen has been stretched.
Whether this marks the end of his latest stint in Baltimore or another temporary roster shuffle will become clear in the coming days.
