Braves add to their bullpen in signing All-Star Robert Suarez

Suarez earned his second consecutive All-Star nod in 2025, posting a 2.97 ERA in 70 appearances with the Padres. Suarez owned a 2.91 ERA over his four-year career, entirely with San Diego. He also has a 2.45 ERA in 12 postseason appearances (14⅔ innings).

He was among the more popular free agents this winter, as numerous teams — including the Mets — had interest in adding Suarez to their bullpen. Suarez didn’t delve into negotiations with other clubs, but he reiterated everything he’d heard about the Braves helped them separate from other suitors. He was encouraged in hearing how the Braves treat their players and families, and by what he was told about Atlanta itself. His fellow Venezuelan countryman Ronald Acuña Jr. and former teammate Jurickson Profar also raved about the organization, he said.

Suarez said he was OK with being a setup man for Iglesias and that was never deterring: “I’m willing to contribute in whatever which way and add my little grain of sand to help the team win in any way. I’m happy to do whatever the team needs.”

The Braves have aggressively pursued pitching reinforcements this winter. They reportedly were involved with All-Star closer Edwin Diaz before he joined the Dodgers. His signing would have also required a significant financial commitment. They’d been linked with Suarez, whose signing acquisition continued president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos’ long-standing emphasis on investing in his bullpen.

While the Braves will probably still add at least one more reliever, their heavy lifting in the bullpen has probably concluded. “We fortified the back end, and I’m looking forward to talking more in depth with Iglesias,” Suarez said. “I think we’re going to have a really nice relationship and we’re going to get along great.”

Suarez is the team’s second significant signing in as many days. It added outfielder Mike Yastrzemski on a two-year, $23 million deal (with a club option) Wednesday. The Braves have spent $38 million on their 2026 payroll in signing Iglesias, Yastrzemski and Suarez.

Yastrzemski, who competed against Suarez in the National League West while with the Giants, spoke glowingly of his new teammate.

“An absolute stud,” Yastrzemski said of Suarez. “That was never a fun time when I saw him running in from the bullpen. It was one of those like, ‘All right, I have to grind here to find a way to put together a decent at-bat.’ You never expect to do anything great off of him. He strikes fear into other hitters.

“I think it’s another sign of commitment from the Braves that they’re doing exactly what they should be doing to put together as competitive a team as possible. He was one of the best arms out there that was available in the back end of the bullpen. I haven’t gotten to meet him or know him personally yet, but haven’t heard a bad thing about him through the grapevine, which is some of the most important stuff. I’ve heard all good things about him.”