Baltimore Orioles reliever Albert Suarez is an early symbol of resilience in the 2026 MLB season. The right-hander pitched just five games last year due to shoulder inflammation and didn't make the Opening Day roster this year, but he stayed the course.

The Orioles called Suarez up from Triple-A on Wednesday following starting pitcher Zach Eflin's injury on Tuesday, and he allowed one run over three innings in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Texas Rangers. The 36-year-old earned the save, as he closed the game after Trevor Rogers pitched the first six frames.

The Orioles needed the length from Suarez, as they used four relievers after Eflin exited in the fourth inning of Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Rangers. This isn't the first time that Suarez has bailed Baltimore out after an injury, and manager Craig Albernaz opened up about his importance to the team, via MLB.com's Jake Rill.

“That’s something that when we talked to him in Spring Training about him not making the Opening Day roster, that’s something that we reiterated to him multiple times,” he said, “just the value that he brings to us in the organization.”

Suarez filled in for right-hander Groyson Rodriguez on Aug. 6, 2024, when the latter player was scratched right before the game due to right lat/teres discomfort. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder tossed five shutout innings in a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing two hits with six strikeouts against two walks. 

Suarez displayed his versatility that season, as he started 24 of 32 appearances and went 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA and one hold. Whether Baltimore needed him as a starter or reliever, he was up to the task.

Albernaz was a Cleveland Guardians coach in 2024 and 2025, but he still appreciates Suarez.

“To see him just keep on developing and getting better and refining his craft and, honestly, just never giving up on his dream to be here, that’s where he’s at now,” he continued. “And that’s something where it’s really tough to bet against a guy that’s been through adversity, that’s had to prove himself and continue to get better, and that’s something that’s another reason why he’s going to make a huge impact for us, just because the person he is and what he’s gone through.”

Suarez didn't stick in the big leagues originally, but he's making the most of his second chance with the Orioles.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed the native Venezuelan as an international free agent in 2006, and he rose to Double-A by 2012. He then played minor-league ball for the Los Angeles Angels in 2014 and the San Francisco Giants in 2015.

The Giants called Suarez up to the big leagues in 2016, and he went 3-5 with a 4.29 ERA over 22 outings (12 starts). He then went 0-3 with a 5.12 ERA over 18 games for them in 2017, and that was his last MLB season until 2024.

Suarez played in the minors for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 before playing in the NPB (Japanese league) and KBO (Korean league) from 2019 until 2023. He then signed a minor-league deal with Baltimore in September 2023, and he got called up in April 2024. 

Now, Suarez is rebounding from his 2025 injury after completing his initial MLB comeback.