The Atlanta Braves made their biggest addition this offseason when they inked All-Star reliever Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract to pair him with Raisel Iglesias to shore up the Braves’ 2026 bullpen. Atlanta made several other small signings to address the bullpen (Joel Payamps, Tyler Kinley, etc), but adding Suarez is sure to have a big immediate impact.
With Braves’ pitchers and catchers reporting to CoolToday Park on Tuesday in North Port, Fla (Braves spring training facility), Robert Suarez was absent from camp due to travel issues getting into the United States.
More MLB on Heavy: Who Will Replace Spencer Schwellenbach in the Braves Rotation?
Robert Suarez Dealing with Visa Issues
Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, who covers the Atlanta Braves daily, Robert Suarez will be a late arrival to camp due to visa issues. Here’s the syndication report from CBSSports.com:
“The right-hander joined Atlanta on a three-year, $45 million contract in December, but he won’t be able to report to camp with the rest of the pitchers and catchers Tuesday. It’s unclear when Suarez’s travel troubles are expected to be resolved, but he’s still got plenty of runway to work with to ramp up for Opening Day.”
Bowman did not indicate a date for when Robert Suarez might join the club, but as CBS mentions, as long as nothing more serious transpires, Suarez should have plenty of time to get ready before Opening Day, which is in about 40 days.
GettyFree-agent closer Robert Suarez has left the San Diego Padres for the Atlanta Braves.
With the news of Spencer Schwellenbach being placed on the 60-day IL, Atlanta’s bullpen might be relied on more often when starters like Bryce Elder or Hurston Waldrep make starts. This means Robert Suarez will likely have the chance to win over Braves fans immediately.
The Braves’ official depth chart is expanded as of now due to spring training set to begin, but Suarez will likely serve as the high-leverage righty and an eighth-inning option to set up Raisel.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Sign Former Rangers All-Star Catcher to MLB Deal as Sean Murphy Recovers from Hip Injury
Robert Suarez Is One of the Best Relievers in MLB
Robert Suarez has been one of the best relievers in MLB over the past two seasons. He’s earned back-to-back All-Star berths and posted a 2.97 ERA last season with the Padres over 69.2 innings. Â He has 76 total saves over the past two seasons.
Being that Suarez has closed out so many games with the Padres in the last two seasons, it will be interesting to see if Atlanta, and new manager Walt Weiss, decide to use Suarez in a closer role at any point in 2026.
For now, though, the 34-year-old Venezuelan flamethrower must get the camp safely with the team, so the Braves front office can take a deep breath.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Urged to Sign Former MLB MVP After Marcell Ozuna Decision
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves Get Robert Suarez News Ahead of Spring Training appeared first on Heavy Sports.