The Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Robert Suarez to a five-year contract, according to President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller. This deal will keep Suarez with the Padres through the 2027 season and includes a player opt-out clause following the 2025 season.
Suarez, a Venezuelan native, made a strong impression in his first Major League season in 2022, recording 45 relief appearances and a 2.27 ERA. He held opponents to a .176 batting average and had an impressive 11.52 SO/9 IP ratio, in addition to one save and 12 holds. Notably, Suarez also became one of just six relievers in MLB history to allow zero runs in 20+ home appearances over a single regular season campaign. He carried his success into the postseason, with scoreless outings in each of his first five career appearances in the Wild Card Series and NLDS.
Prior to joining the Padres, Suarez spent the 2021 season with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, where he led all NPB pitchers with 42 saves and recorded a 1.16 ERA over 62 relief appearances. Over six seasons in the NPB, Suarez registered a 2.81 ERA across 191 career games between the Tigers and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Suarez has also played for the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League, where he posted a 1.71 ERA in 43 relief appearances during the 2015 season.
This signing marks a significant move for the Padres, who will benefit from Suarez's proven track record of success in multiple leagues.
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