Atlanta Braves Announce Major Robert Suarez News

The Atlanta Braves officially sent right-handed reliever Robert Suarez on a rehabilitation assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday morning, a key step in his return from a lengthy absence with right elbow inflammation, via the MLB transaction log.

Suarez, 35, will pitch for the Gwinnett Stripers in their International League season finale Sunday against the Indianapolis Indians. It will be his first game action since June 19, when he last appeared for Atlanta.

The Braves placed him on the 15-day injured list on June 26 (retroactive to June 23) and later transferred him to the 60-day IL on Sept. 1.

The former Padres closer signed a three-year, $45 million deal with Atlanta last winter and quickly became one of the National League’s most dominant setup men.

In 31 appearances before the injury, Suarez posted a 4-0 record, a 0.56 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP, four saves, and 26 strikeouts in 32 innings. He allowed just two earned runs all season.

Manager Walt Weiss has described Suarez’s recent progress as encouraging. The right-hander faced live hitters last week at Truist Park, throwing about 15 pitches and touching 98 mph on his fastball.

Weiss said he was “very encouraged” by the session and that Suarez felt good afterward.

Sunday’s outing in Gwinnett gives the club a look at him in a game setting before deciding on a possible late-season return to the major-league roster.

Weiss has been cautious about committing to regular-season appearances with Atlanta.

The Braves have not yet locked up the NL East, but may prefer to keep Suarez’s first high-leverage work for October. A return for the postseason remains the priority.

Gwinnett’s regular season ends Sunday, so any further work after this assignment would likely come in bullpen sessions or live batting practice with the big-league club.

Suarez remains eligible for activation at any time given how long he has been on the injured list.

A healthy Suarez would give Atlanta a high-leverage weapon in front of closer Raisel Iglesias at a critical point in the season.

The Braves’ bullpen has performed well in his absence, but adding back an arm with his track record would strengthen an already deep relief corps heading into the playoffs. How he responds Sunday will help determine the next step.