Two-time All-Star reliever joins Atlanta on a three-year deal
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez celebrates after the Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 in a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves today signed RHP Robert Suarez to a three-year contract worth $45 million, with the right-hander set to make $13 million in 2026 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Suarez has agreed to donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Suarez, 34, earned his second consecutive selection to the NL All-Star team last season, and compiled a 4-6 record with a 2.97 ERA (23 ER/69.2 IP) over 70 appearances with the San Diego Padres. He produced a career-best 2.3 bWAR while leading the National League with 40 saves, and his 76 total saves since the beginning of the 2024 season are five more than any other pitcher in baseball.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-hander has played the entirety of his four-year major league career with the Padres, and owns a career record of 22-13 with a 2.91 ERA (68 ER/210.0 IP) and 77 saves. All 206 of his appearances have come in relief. In 12 postseason games with San Diego he pitched to a 2.45 ERA, allowing just four runs over 14.2 innings.
A native of Bolivar, Venezuela, Suarez was originally signed by the Padres to a major league contract in December of 2021 following six seasons pitching internationally, and made his debut the following year. He became the fifth reliever in Padres history to record 40 saves in a single season when he did so this year, and his 73 saves through his first 200 career appearances ranked third in franchise annals.
To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated LHP Ryan Rolison for assignment.
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