The Mariners added Jose Suarez to the 40-man roster ahead of a series against his former team, the Braves
SEATTLE — Less than an hour before the Seattle Mariners started the third of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday at T-Mobile Park, the M's made an interesting roster move.
The Mariners bolstered their bullpen and claimed left-handed reliever Jose Suarez off waivers from the Atlanta Braves.
Seattle designated outfielder Rhylan Thomas for assignment in a corresponding move.
The Mariners' 40-man roster is full at 40 players after the recent move.
Suarez, 28-years-old, was originally signed by the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2014.
Suarez made his major league debut with the Angels in 2014 and was originally used as a starter before transitioning to the bullpen. He pitched for Los Angeles from 2019-24 and had a 5.47 ERA and struck out 346 batters in 376.2 innings pitched across 99 games (61 starts).
The Angels traded Suarez to the Braves on March 23, 2025, in return for right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson.
Suarez has spent the better part of the last two seasons with Atlanta (with a one-week stint with the Baltimore Orioles thrown in there). He's had a 4.04 ERA andag fanned 37 hitters in 35.2 innings pitched across 15 appearances (two starts).
Suarez could get a chance to get a modicum of revenge against the Braves if Seattle brings him up to the 26-man roster for its next series. The Mariners will play Atlanta in a three-game series from May 4-6 at T-Mobile Park.
The player Suarez replaced on the 40-man roster, Thomas, has been with the M's organization since July 26, 2024. Seattle acquired the former USC Trojan in a deal that sent reliever Ryne Stanek to the Mets.
Thomas has spent the majority of the last two years with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He made his major league debut May 2, 2025, in a game against the Texas Rangers.
Thomas played three games in the majors for the Mariners. He hit .125 (1-for-8) with a double and two RBIs.
In Triple-A with Tacoma this season, Thomas slashed .260/.313/.328 with a .641 OPS in 31 games and hit three doubles and two home runs with nine RBIs. He has six steals in eight attempts.
Seattle will play the first of its three-game series against the Braves at 6:40 p.m. PT on Monday at T-Mobile Park. Logan Gilbert will start at pitcher for the Mariners and JR Ritchie will start for Atlanta.
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