The Braves are set to get a major bullpen piece back at exactly the right time.
Robert Suarez, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal with Atlanta, is expected to return from a long absence and could be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday or Thursday, according to Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos. That would put him on track to help the Braves when the playoffs begin next week.
Atlanta’s winter was light on moves after the team missed the playoffs and finished with a losing record in 2025, but the Suarez signing stood out from the start. ESPN reported: “Closer Robert Suarez has signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Thursday. Suarez, who led the National League this season with 40 saves in 45 chances, became a free agent in early November after opting out of $8 million options for 2026 and 2027,” ESPN wrote.
Suarez opened the season looking like one of the Braves’ best bullpen weapons, then disappeared after dealing with forearm tightness. MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco reported: “The Braves placed setup man Robert Suarez on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 23, before tonight’s series opener in San Francisco. He’s dealing with forearm tightness.”
The loss mattered. Suarez had been one of Atlanta’s top relievers, and at times served as the closer when Raisel Iglesias was unavailable. More often, though, he handled the setup role and gave the Braves a high-end arm they leaned on heavily.
Now the timing lines up for October, and that matters for a team expected to open the postseason at home next week against either the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, or Philadelphia Phillies. CBS Sports reported that Anthopoulos said Monday on 680 The Fan that it’s “highly likely” Suarez (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday or Thursday.
That’s a welcome boost for a bullpen that may need fresh legs. Atlanta’s relief group played a major role in the 2021 World Series run, and Suarez gives them another impact arm as the games get bigger.
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