Orioles add Suárez, Handley as rosters expand to 28

SAN DIEGO—With the rosters expanding from 26 to 28 players on Monday, the Orioles activated right-handed pitcher Albert Suárez from the 60-day injured list. They also recalled catcher Maverick Handley from Triple-A Norfolk.

Teams must add two players on September 1^st and can carry only 14 pitchers. When Tyler Wells is activated from the 60-day injured list to start on Tuesday, the Orioles will have to cut a pitcher.

Suárez pitched in only one game, on March 28^th, before going on the injured list. The 35-year-old right-hander spent nearly the entire season rehabbing a rotator cuff injury. Suárez allowed an earned run on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Handley was 3-for-41 (.073) with three RBIs in 16 games. He was on the concussion injured list and then transferred to the 10-day injured list with a sprained right wrist.

Handley’s addition gives the Orioles three catchers, enabling interim manager Tony Mansolino to use Samuel Basallo and Alex Jackson in the lineup with a catcher in reserve.

Notes: Outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. will join Triple-A Norfolk for the final three weeks of the International League season. Bradfield, the Orioles’ first-round pick in 2023, hit .269 with a .779 OPS, two home runs, 14 RBIs and 26 stolen bases for Double-A Chesapeake. The news was first reported by MASNsports.com and confirmed by an industry source. … Right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet elected free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to Norfolk.

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