The Atlanta Braves saw another piece of their pitching depth move elsewhere this week, as left-handed pitcher was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. The move closes a short but eventful chapter for Him in Atlanta, where he spent most of the 2025 season bouncing between the major league roster and the minor leagues as a long-relief and emergency starting option.
At 28 years old, He was never expected to be a cornerstone of the Braves’ pitching staff. Instead, he was viewed as a flexible depth arm—someone capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen, stepping into a spot start when injuries or scheduling demands arose, and providing insurance across a long, grueling season. While that type of pitcher rarely attracts headlines, organizations value them highly, particularly contenders like Atlanta that prioritize pitching depth over the course of 162 games.
How He Landed in Atlanta
Suarez originally joined the Braves near the end of Spring Training last year in what amounted to a straightforward exchange of two pitchers who were out of minor league options. Atlanta acquired Suarez in a deal that sent right-hander Ian Anderson to the Los Angeles Angels. The transaction wasn’t a blockbuster by any stretch, but it reflected a common roster-management tactic: swapping players who could no longer be freely shuttled between the majors and minors without passing through waivers.
From Atlanta’s perspective, Suarez offered something Anderson did not at that point—left-handed depth with starting experience. Suarez had logged significant innings as both a starter and reliever earlier in his career, making him an appealing option for a Braves team that often prefers pitchers capable of filling multiple roles.
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Interestingly, Anderson’s time with the Angels turned out to be brief. He eventually found his way back into the Braves organization, though he never appeared in a major league game for Atlanta after returning. In that sense, the trade ended up being a temporary roster shuffle rather than a long-term solution for either side.
Suarez’s Role With the Braves
During his time on the Braves’ major league roster, Suarez made appearances in seven games, including one start. His usage reflected how the organization viewed him: a pitcher deployed primarily when the bullpen needed length or when the rotation required a short-term fill-in.
From a performance standpoint, Suarez’s results were mixed and largely aligned with the profile he had shown earlier in his career. His strikeout rate was below league average, meaning he wasn’t overpowering hitters or missing bats at a high level. At the same time, his walk rate trended higher than ideal, putting additional pressure on both himself and the defense behind him.
Those two factors—limited swing-and-miss ability and inconsistent command—often make it difficult for pitchers to carve out a secure role on contending teams. While Suarez was capable of navigating lineups on occasion, he frequently found himself working with little margin for error.
By April of last season, Atlanta decided to designate Suarez for assignment. At that time, no team placed a waiver claim, allowing him to remain within the Braves organization. He was subsequently sent to the minor leagues, where he spent most of the year providing rotation and bullpen depth at the Triple-A level.
A September Recall and Final Opportunity
As rosters expanded late in the season and injuries accumulated, the Braves brought Suarez back to the major league club in early September. His recall was less about expectation and more about necessity—a familiar scenario for pitchers in similar roles.
Suarez once again filled innings when needed, but he never quite did enough to solidify a long-term place on the roster. When Atlanta later exposed him to waivers again, this time the outcome was different. Baltimore, always on the lookout for controllable pitching depth, stepped in and made the claim.
Career Overview and Statistical Profile
Since making his major league debut in 2019, Suarez has appeared in 106 games and made 62 starts. Over that span, he has posted a 5.30 ERA, along with a 4.69 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). Those numbers paint a picture of a pitcher who has consistently struggled to keep runs off the board, even when accounting for defense and luck.
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While Suarez has shown flashes—particularly in stretches where his command has been sharper—his overall track record suggests a pitcher best suited for depth roles rather than a permanent spot in a contending rotation. Still, durability and versatility count for something, and Suarez has proven capable of taking the ball when asked, whether in relief or as a starter.
For teams navigating the thin line between contention and roster turnover, pitchers like Suarez can hold real value. They may not dominate, but they can stabilize a pitching staff during periods of heavy workload or injury.
Why Baltimore Made the Claim
For the Orioles, claiming Suarez fits a familiar pattern. Baltimore has spent recent seasons aggressively cycling through pitching options, particularly arms that can provide innings without requiring a significant financial commitment. Suarez checks several boxes: he’s left-handed, experienced, and controllable.
The Orioles don’t necessarily need Suarez to be a high-leverage reliever or a top-of-the-rotation starter. Instead, he can serve as a multi-inning option, spot starter, or Triple-A depth arm ready to step in when needed. In that sense, the claim represents a low-risk move with potential upside.
A Growing Braves–Orioles Waiver Pipeline
Suarez’s move from Atlanta to Baltimore also continues a noticeable trend between the two organizations. The Braves and Orioles have repeatedly claimed pitchers from one another in recent months, creating an informal pipeline of roster shuffling.
Just last week, Atlanta claimed pitcher George Soriano off waivers from Baltimore. Since mid-September, the two teams have been involved in at least five waiver claims involving pitchers moving back and forth between the organizations.
These transactions rarely draw widespread attention, but they reveal how front offices operate on the margins. Waiver claims allow teams to evaluate arms within their own pitching infrastructure, sometimes uncovering value that previous organizations couldn’t fully realize.
What This Means for the Braves
For Atlanta, losing Suarez is unlikely to have a major impact on their big league plans. The Braves have consistently demonstrated an ability to develop and acquire pitching depth, and Suarez was never projected as a critical piece of their staff.
That said, his departure slightly thins the organization’s inventory of left-handed arms with starting experience. Over the course of a season, even minor losses like this can force teams to dip further into their system or explore external options.
What’s Next for Suarez
As Suarez joins the Orioles, he’ll likely compete for a similar role to the one he held in Atlanta: depth starter, long reliever, and insurance against injuries. A change of scenery can sometimes unlock improvements, whether through mechanical tweaks, pitch-mix adjustments, or simply a fresh opportunity.
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While his career numbers suggest limitations, pitchers often find ways to reinvent themselves later in their careers. If Suarez can improve his command or generate more weak contact, he could carve out a more stable role in Baltimore than he ever managed in Atlanta.
Final Thoughts
José Suarez’s waiver claim is a reminder of how much of Major League Baseball operates beneath the surface. While star signings and blockbuster trades dominate headlines, roster construction often hinges on marginal moves—depth arms, waiver claims, and organizational fit.
For the Braves, it’s another example of disciplined roster management. For the Orioles, it’s a calculated gamble on experience and versatility. And for Suarez himself, it’s another opportunity to prove he can stick at the highest level.
In a league where pitching depth is constantly tested, even the quietest transactions can matter more than they appear at first glance.
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