Suárez to start Orioles’ Grapefruit League opener on Saturday

SARASOTA—A year ago, Albert Suárez was an unknown during Orioles spring training. This year, he’ll start the first Grapefruit League game on Saturday against Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium.

In 2024, Suárez impressed the Orioles in spring training after not having pitched in the major leagues since 2017. He went down to Triple-A Norfolk but didn’t stay long.

His first start since September 23^rd, 2016 came on April 17^th, and he ended the season starting 24 times, tied with Dean Kremer for second-most on the team.

“Albert’s ready to go, and we’re going in order,” manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday. “Don’t read anything into it. Big Al’s ready and you work back from the first day of the season and do the best you can. Things change all the way through that. You shuffle some things around, but we’re stretching Al as a starter, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Suárez might not be in the starting rotation to begin the 2025 season. The Orioles have Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, but if there’s an injury, Suárez could again slide into the rotation.

“He’s got a lot of confidence,” Hyde said. “He’s in incredible shape. He worked really hard this offseason. I saw that at the Caravan. It was noticeable the shape that he’s in. I know how much time and effort he’s put in this offseason.”

Suárez was 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 2024.

“He wants to build off of last year,” Hyde said. “It was a great story. For him to get that feeling of being back in the big leagues and doing so well, it really drove him this offseason to come in great shape and put himself in position. He’s an incredible team guy, so he really is all about the team and do whatever he can to help our team win.”

If he doesn’t begin the season in the rotation, Suárez could fill a variety of roles in the bullpen.

“He’s got so much value for us because of the starting/bullpen versatility,” Hyde said. “Last year when he did go to the bullpen, he recovered well. That’s a big thing, too. Guys that are used to starting, it’s tough to go on different kind of routines. I felt like Al responded pretty well. Just because he’s been shuffled around so much in his career, he’s used to the back and forth, the starting and relieving, it’s helpful.”

Note: Morton wasn’t in camp on Thursday because of  illness.

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