Veteran Pitcher Albert Suárez Aims to Boost Orioles' Unproven Bullpen

The 36-year-old right-hander looks to recapture his 2024 success and provide stability to Baltimore's relief corps.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:55pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract representation of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a veteran pitcher's determined effort to revive his career and provide stability to a rebuilding team's bullpen.Sarasota Today

The Baltimore Orioles are facing an uncertain bullpen situation in 2026, with several unproven arms vying for roles. However, they may have a potential savior in veteran pitcher Albert Suárez, who is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season. Suárez, signed to a minor-league deal, surprised many with a solid 2024 campaign, posting a 3.70 ERA over 133.2 innings. The Orioles are hoping the 36-year-old can recapture that magic and provide much-needed stability to their relief corps, which is anchored by Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge but lacks proven depth beyond that.

Why it matters

The Orioles' bullpen depth has been thinned by trades and injuries, leaving them with several unproven arms. Suárez's potential resurgence could be the difference between a shaky bullpen and a reliable one, as the team looks to build on its progress in the rebuild under GM Mike Elias. If Suárez can stay healthy and perform at a high level, he could be a valuable asset for the Orioles as they aim to compete in the AL East.

The details

Suárez, a journeyman pitcher who hadn't pitched in the majors since 2017, signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles in December 2023. He exceeded expectations in 2024, posting a 3.70 ERA over 133.2 innings and providing 2.7 bWAR. However, injuries limited him to just five appearances in 2025, leading the Orioles to non-tender him. Now, Suárez is back on another minor-league deal and looking to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the major league level. The Orioles' bullpen is a major question mark heading into 2026, with Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge as the only proven anchors. If Suárez can recapture his 2024 form, he could be a valuable addition to the relief corps.

  • Suárez signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles in December 2023.
  • In 2024, Suárez posted a 3.70 ERA over 133.2 innings and provided 2.7 bWAR.
  • Injuries limited Suárez to just five appearances in 2025, leading the Orioles to non-tender him.
  • Suárez is back on another minor-league deal and heading to spring training in Sarasota, Florida in 2026.

The players

Albert Suárez

A 36-year-old right-handed pitcher who is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season and provide stability to the Orioles' unproven bullpen.

Mike Elias

The general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, who signed Suárez to a minor-league deal in December 2023 and is hoping the veteran can help bolster the team's bullpen.

Ryan Helsley

One of the anchors of the Orioles' bullpen, along with Andrew Kittredge, as the team looks to build depth around them.

Andrew Kittredge

One of the anchors of the Orioles' bullpen, along with Ryan Helsley, as the team looks to build depth around them.

Keegan Akin

An Orioles pitcher who has been inconsistent and is part of the team's unproven bullpen heading into 2026.

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What’s next

The Orioles will be closely monitoring Suárez's performance during spring training as they evaluate their bullpen options for the 2026 season. If he can stay healthy and recapture his 2024 form, he could earn a spot on the major league roster and provide a much-needed boost to the team's relief corps.

The takeaway

Albert Suárez's potential resurgence could be a game-changer for the Baltimore Orioles' bullpen in 2026. While the veteran right-hander comes with injury concerns, his 2024 success shows he still has the ability to compete at the major league level. If Suárez can stay healthy and perform at a high level, he could provide stability and reliability to a relief corps that is otherwise filled with unproven arms, giving the Orioles a better chance to build on their progress in the rebuild.