BALTIMORE—For the fourth time this season, pitcher Albert Suárez is back with the Orioles. This time, the 36-year-old right-hander Suárez has signed a major league contract — a day after he declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected free agency.
Suárez, who signed a minor league contract with the Orioles in December, didn’t make the team after spring training but returned on April 1st before he was designated for assignment on April 26th. On April 29th, he declared free agency after passing through waivers and signed a minor league deal a day later.
A day after that, Suárez’s contract was again selected, and a day later, on May 2nd, he was designated for assignment again. Two day later, he was outrighted to Norfolk.
On May 19th, he was back with the Orioles, and DFA’d again on May 25th.
“I’m used to it,” Suárez said. “This thing, I don’t control. I always try to be ready. Whatever happens, I’m glad to be here, to be ready, to help the team.”
The Orioles have made it clear that they value Suárez and make sure he knows when he’s being designated for assignment that they want him to remain in the organization as long as he passes through waivers.
“It’s a process. I’m glad that I’m here, and I’m ready to go,” Suárez said. He is 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA in seven games.
“It’s very special, especially being here the last three years,” he said. “This group of guys that we have this year is really awesome to play with.”
Manager Craig Albernaz, who knows Suárez from their time together in the Tampa Bay organization from 2008-2014, said not every player could deal with being on the transaction wire treadmill.
“That’s why we love Albert,” Albernaz said. “He’s a special individual. I think anyone who’s been around him knows that it’s very tough to find someone who’s more genuine than him … He’s also a really good pitcher as well. His ability to deal with the DFA and be in limbo and come right back in the clubhouse like nothing every happened and then toe the mound and get big league hitters out is really impressive.”
To make room for Suárez on the 26-man roster, right-hander Cameron Weston, who threw a scoreless innings on Thursday night, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Dean Kremer, who’s been on the 15-day injured list with a right quadriceps muscle strain, was transferred to the 60-day injured list, opening a spot for Suárez. Kremer is eligible for reinstatement on June 19th.
Cano improving
Right-hander Yennier Cano threw in the bullpen on Friday, two days after he left Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays with right hamstring discomfort.
“It’s trending in the right direction,” Albernaz said. “We’ll know more about his status after he throws, but by all accounts he’s feeling good.”
The Orioles have left-handed reliever Josh Walker with the team on the taxi squad and catcher Silas Ardoin on the catcher taxi squad.
Notes: Blaze Alexander was credited with a single in the second inning of the May 26th game. It originally was scored an error by Tampa Bay second baseman Richie Palacios. … The Orioles’ June 11th game against Seattle will be televised exclusively by ESPN. … Right-hander Cameron Foster has been placed on Norfolk’s 7-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Orioles-Blue Jays lineups
Orioles
Taylor Ward-LF
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Adley Rutschman-DH
Pete Alonso-1B
Samuel Basallo-C
Leody Taveras-CF
Colton Cowser-RF
Coby Mayo-3B
Jackson Holliday-2B
Trevor Rogers-LHP
Blue Jays
George Springer-DH
Ernie Clement-SS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr-1B
Kazuma Okamoto-3B
Daulton Varsho-CF
Charles McAdoo-2B
Myles Straw-LF
Yohendrick Piñango-RF
Adam Macko-LHP
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