The Baltimore Orioles announced a roster move concerning their bullpen ahead of their series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The team has recalled right-hander Anthony Nunez from Triple-A Norfolk. Fellow right-hander Albert Suarez has been designated for assignment.
The Orioles are a bit worn down in their bullpen after a taxing series against the New York Yankees, in which they were swept. Suarez was the most taxed arm of the group, as he threw 57 pitches in three days in that series.
With the need for a fresh arm for the Rays series, the club decided to bump their most taxed arm off the roster. This marks the fourth time that the Orioles have designated Suarez for assignment this season.
Orioles DFA Albert Suarez for Fourth Time in 2026
GettyOrioles reliever Albert Suarez is back in DFA limbo to make room for a fresh arm. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
In 25 appearances this season, Albert Suarez owns a 3.93 ERA and 4.40 FIP across 55 innings. He serves as a bulk arm, with 20 of his appearances going for multiple innings. Much of that comes in mop-up duty, where the team is either trailing late or in a blowout, to avoid using their leverage arms.
The Orioles will have five days to either outright or release Suarez. Since the right-hander has more than three years of service and has been outrighted plenty of times by the organization, he can reject it and become a free agent.
He would have to forfeit the rest of his 2026 salary if he does, which is probably not a factor in the club’s roster calculus.
In three seasons in Baltimore, Albert Suarez has pitched to a 3.68 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 200.1 innings. While he doesn’t get the glamour for his role, he serves as important depth for the club.
Suarez’s DFA process will likely end up the same as the previous three iterations. The right-hander will likely reject an outright assignment and become a free agent. He’ll then re-sign with the Orioles on a minor league deal.
He may have to pitch a bit with Triple-A Norfolk to stay loose. But the Orioles will call him back to the roster once they need an innings-eater for their bullpen.
Orioles Cut Ties With 5-Year MLB Reliever Before Rays Series