The Atlanta Braves have been busy making pitching moves this week as they try to keep pace with the other teams in the NL East. One of the biggest moves was Atlanta placing ace Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list on Monday (retroactive to April 18) with a hamstring strain.
However, before Strider was placed on the injured list, the Braves acquired right-handed pitcher Scott Blewitt from the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations last week. To free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Blewett, Atlanta designated veteran pitcher Jose Suarez for assignment on Monday.
After he was DFA’d, the Braves announced that they outrighted Suarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, per David O’Brien of The Athletic.
#Braves outrighted José Suarez to Triple-A Gwinnett
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 24, 2025
Atlanta acquired the left-handed pitcher in a trade from the Los Angeles Angels before Opening Day. The Braves sent veteran Ian Anderson to the Angels, who was also surprisingly DFA’d this week.
The former Brave struggled mightily in his short stint with the Angels. He had a 0-1 record and 11.57 ERA in seven appearances. Anderson got hit around out of the bullpen, allowing 17 hits, 12 earned runs (two earned runs), seven walks, and only recording eight strikeouts in 9.1 innings.
The 27-year-old Suarez went unclaimed on waivers, leading him back to the Braves. Suarez made three appearances with the Braves, posting a 1-0 record and 2.45 ERA. The southpaw allowed three hits, two earned runs (one home run), seven walks, and had only five strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched.
The former Angels starter could’ve declined the assignment, making him a free agent, but he would have lost out on whatever was left of his $1.1 million salary. That said, Suarez will head down to the minor leagues, where he can hopefully work on some things and potentially make it back to the big leagues at some point this season.