Braves and Orioles Engage in Waiver Wire Chess Match

Atlanta claims pitcher José Suarez after Orioles put him on waivers, as teams play strategic game of roster moves.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented baseball game, with overlapping shapes and planes representing the dynamic roster moves between the two teams.The strategic game of player claims and waivers between the Braves and Orioles creates a complex, ever-changing roster landscape in Major League Baseball.Today in Miami

The Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles have been engaged in a back-and-forth game of claiming players off waivers from each other, with left-handed pitcher José Suarez being the latest player caught up in the maneuver. The Braves claimed Suarez after the Orioles had previously designated him for assignment, while also designating their own pitcher George Soriano for assignment. This marks the sixth time this offseason the two teams have claimed players from each other in a strategic game of roster management.

Why it matters

This waiver wire game between the Braves and Orioles highlights the complex and often controversial roster strategies teams employ to hold onto players they want without risking losing them to other clubs. It's a high-stakes game of chess that can have major implications for player careers and team rosters.

The details

The Braves claimed the 28-year-old Suarez, who has spent seven seasons in the majors mostly as a swingman for the Angels, after the Orioles had designated him for assignment. In a corresponding move, the Braves designated their own 26-year-old right-hander George Soriano for assignment. Soriano had previously been claimed off waivers by the Orioles from the Marlins. Both Suarez and Soriano are out of minor league options, making them vulnerable to being passed around on waivers as teams try to keep them in their organization without risking losing them to another club.

  • The Braves claimed Suarez on April 10, 2026 after the Orioles had designated him for assignment.
  • Soriano, who turns 27 in March 2026, was previously claimed off waivers by the Orioles from the Marlins in November 2025.

The players

José Suarez

A 28-year-old left-handed pitcher who has spent seven seasons in the majors, mostly as a swingman for the Angels. He has an impressive minor league track record but has had mixed results in the big leagues.

George Soriano

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who has spent three seasons in the majors with the Marlins. He is out of minor league options and has been claimed off waivers multiple times this offseason.

Atlanta Braves

The Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia that has been engaged in a strategic game of claiming players off waivers from the Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles

The Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland that has been engaged in a strategic game of claiming players off waivers from the Braves.

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What’s next

The Braves now have Suarez on their roster, but it remains to be seen if they will try to pass him through waivers again in the future to keep him in their organization. The fate of Soriano, who is also out of options, also hangs in the balance as the Braves have a week to decide whether to trade him or put him back on waivers.

The takeaway

The strategic game of claiming and passing players through waivers between the Braves and Orioles highlights the complex roster management tactics teams employ to hold onto players they value without risking losing them to other clubs. It's a high-stakes game that can have major implications for player careers and team rosters.