After declining to offer him a major league contract last month, the Orioles have re-signed 36-year-old right-hander Albert Suárez to a minor league contract.
Suárez, who was a happy surprise for the Orioles in 2024, when he started 24 times, tying for second most on the team, had a challenging 2025 when he missed most of the season because of a rotator cuff injury.
He was 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in five games, one start, and threw only 11 2/3 innings. In 2024, Suárez was 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 133 2/3 innings.
After throwing 2 2/3 innings in Toronto on March 28th, Suárez didn’t pitch again until September 2nd.
His last appearance also came in Toronto on September 14th when he allowed two runs in a three-inning start. After being examined by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas in October, he was diagnosed with what the team called “a mild forearm flexor strain” and given the go-ahead to resume throwing after time to rest.
The Orioles also signed utility player Willy Vasquez to a minor league contract. Vasquez hit .256 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 44 games for Double-A Montgomery in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He played shortstop, third base and right field last season.
Catcher Maverick Handley cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Catcher Drew Romo was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.
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