Fantasy News

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Keeps rolling for 16th save

  Rotowire May 28, 2024

  Suarez earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work. Suarez was summoned in the ninth frame to protect a one-run lead and had no trouble doing so, retiring the side in order on 14 pitches. The right-hander came into the campaign with a loose grip on the ninth-inning role for the Padres but has emerged as one of the league's top first-half closers with 16 saves (in 16 chances) while posting a 0.73 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB over 24.2 innings. Prior to this season, Suarez had just one save over 71 major-league appearances.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Converts four-out save

  Rotowire May 27, 2024

  Suarez picked up the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Yankees, striking out two while allowing one run on two hits in 1.1 innings. Suarez came in with two runners on and two out in the eighth to face Aaron Judge and bested him with a strikeout. He returned for the ninth and started off by allowing a home run to Alex Verdugo but was able to get the job done from there. The home run was the first run Suarez has given up since March 28. He continues to be one of the most dominant closers in baseball this year, as he's now tied for third with 15 saves and owns a 0.76 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB in 23.2 innings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Collects 14th save

  Rotowire May 23, 2024

  Suarez walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Reds. Suarez had no trouble locking down the save in the 10th inning after the Padres pulled ahead. The right-hander has still allowed just one run all season, and that was March 28 versus the Giants. His scoreless streak is at 20 innings, and he has a 0.40 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 22.1 innings with 14 saves and one hold on the year as one of baseball's top closers.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Back in closer role Monday

  Rotowire May 21, 2024

  Suarez picked up a save against Atlanta in the first game of a doubleheader Monday, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. For most of the contest it seemed unlikely that Suarez would be deployed, as Atlanta got out to an early lead and was ahead 5-0 through four innings. However, San Diego fought back and took a one-run lead in the eighth, giving Suarez a chance to close things out in the ninth. He did so easily, needing just seven pitches to set down the side in order. Suarez had been used in the eighth inning to face the heart of Atlanta's order his previous time on the mound, but there's little doubt that he's San Diego's primary closer. The right-hander has registered a minuscule 0.44 ERA and 0.64 WHIP along with an 18:4 K:BB while racking up 13 saves in 13 chances on the season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Deployed in eighth inning Friday

  Rotowire May 18, 2024

  Suarez earned a hold against Atlanta on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over one inning. Suarez has been one of the best closers in baseball this season with 12 saves (in 12 chances) and a 0.47 ERA, so his usage in the eighth inning against Atlanta was not a demotion. Rather, the right-hander was called upon to face the heart of Atlanta's formidable lineup, and though he gave up singles to Marcell Ozuna and Chadwick Tromp, Suarez managed to emerge from the outing with his 16-game scoreless streak intact. The 33-year-old should see most of his work in the ninth inning going forward, though Friday's usage is an indication that manager Mike Shildt won't hesitate to use Suarez in the highest-leverage situations prior to the ninth if the situation calls for it.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Perfect for 12th save

  Rotowire May 8, 2024

  Suarez earned the save Wednesday against the Cubs, striking out one across a perfect inning. Suarez advanced to 12-for-12 on save chances this season, putting him in lockstep with Kyle Finnegan for the most saves in baseball. The former has allowed just seven hits on the season, and the lone run charged against him came via a home run back on March 28. Suarez hasn't allowed a hit in 5.2 innings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Picks up save No. 9

  Rotowire Apr 25, 2024

  Suarez earned a save against the Rockies on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning. Suarez needed just seven pitches (five of which were strikes) to set the Rockies down in order and preserve a three-run San Diego victory. The right-hander extended his streak of scoreless outings to nine and lowered his sterling ERA to 0.77. Suarez has been one of the league's best closers so far this season with nine saves (tied for first in MLB).

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Claims eighth save Monday

  Rotowire Apr 23, 2024

  Suarez earned a save against the Rockies on Monday, giving up two hits in a scoreless inning of work. Suarez entered in the ninth inning with San Diego up by two runs and found himself in some trouble when two of the first three batters he faced notched a hit. However, the right-hander got Ryan McMahon to ground into a game-ending double play to escape the jam without a run charged to his ledger. Suarez has now competed eight straight scoreless appearances, and he's given up just one run over 10.2 frames on the season. With eight saves, he is tied with Clay Holmes for first in the majors in that category.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Notches fourth save

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Suarez earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning. The Padres put up nine runs from the sixth through eighth innings to carry a one-run lead into the ninth, and they turned to Suarez to try to nail down the comeback victory. The right-hander had little trouble doing so, striking out a batter to start and end the frame and needing just 14 pitches to retire the side in order. Suarez wasn't a certainly to work as the closer this season for San Diego coming into spring camp, but he looks to have a firm hold on the role at this point, tying for the league lead with four saves while allowing just one run and posting an 8:3 K:BB over six innings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Lands second save

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2024

  Suarez earned a save during Thursday's win over the Giants, allowing one run on one hit across one inning. He struck out one. With two outs in the ninth inning, Suarez gave up a solo homer to Michael Conforto but still was able to snare his second save in as many appearances. It appears Suarez has a comfortable hold on the Padres' closer role, but with arms like Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta also earning high-leverage work, the right-hander could be on a short leash.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Nails down four-out save

  Rotowire Mar 21, 2024

  Suarez recorded the final four outs of Thursday's 15-11 win over the Dodgers in South Korea to earn his first save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out two batters. Suarez's wild pitch and subsequent single allowed to Mookie Betts in the eighth inning brought the Dodgers to within one run, but San Diego gave the right-hander some extra cushion the next half inning, and Suarez bounced back with a 1-2-3 frame in the bottom of the ninth. Padres manager Mike Shildt had declined to name a closer in spring training, but the team's beat writers pointed to Suarez being the most likely candidate to close. Yuki Matsui pitched in the sixth inning Wednesday in his major-league debut.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Shildt declines to name closer

  Rotowire Feb 5, 2024

  Padres manager Mike Shildt mentioned Suarez and Yuki Matsui as possibilities but declined to name a closer when asked last week, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Shildt also brought up Wandy Peralta as a high-leverage option but, perhaps notably, did not bring up Woo-suk Go's name. The manager indicated that it's possible he could name a closer based on how things go in spring training but also hinted that it might be a committee based on the situation and who is available. While Suarez and Matsui appear to be the guys for fantasy managers to target if they're drafting early, it's a situation that lacks clarity at the moment.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Projected to serve as closer

  Rotowire Jan 2, 2024

  Suarez is the Padres' projected closer even after the team's addition of Yuki Matsui, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. Matsui was recently inked to a five-year, $28 million contract and is expected to handle high-leverage innings, but Lin still views Suarez as the club's likely closer. Suarez -- who signed a five-year, $46 million deal last offseason to remain with the Padres -- was limited to just 26 appearances in 2023 while battling elbow issues, posting a 4.23 ERA and 24:10 K:BB across 27.2 innings. The 32-year-old ended the season healthy, though, and his 97.7 mph average four-seamer velocity was right in line with what he showed during his stellar 2022 campaign. Whether new manager Mike Shildt plans to name a closer isn't clear, but it would appear Suarez could have the early leg up.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Reinstated from suspension

  Rotowire Sep 11, 2023

  The Padres reinstated Suarez (suspension) from the restricted list Monday. Suarez will rejoin the Padres for the start of their three-game series in Los Angeles that begins Monday after he completed a 10-game suspension for allegedly using a foreign substance during an Aug. 21 relief appearance. The setup man holds a 5.51 ERA and 13:5 K:BB over 16.1 innings for the Padres this season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Pitches scoreless frame in return

  Rotowire Jul 22, 2023

  Suarez notched a hold against the Tigers on Friday by pitching one perfect inning. Suarez made his season debut after a prolonged absence due to an elbow injury. San Diego manager Bob Melvin didn't hesitate to immediately deploy him in a high-leverage situation, bringing the right-hander in to protect a one-run eighth-inning lead. Suarez didn't show any signs of rust, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches. It appears the Padres may slot Suarez into a setup role immediately as they seek to make up ground in the wild-card race.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Activated Thursday

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2023

  Suarez (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Thursday's game in Toronto. The 32-year-old righty gave up six earned runs in five innings with more walks (five) than strikeouts (four) during his rehab assignment. Suarez could eventually start working in a setup role, but he will probably be eased back in low-leverage situations.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Could be activated Thursday

  Rotowire Jul 19, 2023

  Padres manager Bob Melvin said Suarez (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. Suarez has joined the Padres in Toronto and might finally be ready to be a contributor out of the bullpen. The 32-year-old right-hander re-upped with San Diego on a five-year, $46 million contract over the winter, but he missed the entire first half while recovering from a severe case of elbow inflammation.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Advances rehab to Triple-A

  Rotowire Jul 16, 2023

  Suarez (elbow) shifted his rehab assignment to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday and allowed one run on one hit and one walk while failing to strike out a batter in his lone inning of work. Suarez, who has been on the shelf all season while recovering from an elbow injury, was making his fifth rehab appearance overall but his first at El Paso after prior stints in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and with Single-A Lake Elsinore. According to 97.3 The Fan San Diego, Padres manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Suarez checked out "OK" following the rehab outing at El Paso, but the skipper noted that the reliever will "probably" require one more appearance in the minors before being activated from the 60-day injured list. Once he's reinstated, Suarez will likely settle in as a key setup man in front of closer Josh Hader.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Could face hitters soon

  Rotowire Jun 24, 2023

  Suarez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday and could face hitters "imminently," AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. Suarez has yet to play this season after experiencing arm stiffness and elbow inflammation in mid-March during spring training. However, he's tossed multiple bullpens over the past few weeks and now appears set to take the next step in his recovery. Suarez will almost certainly require a minor-league rehab stint before joining the San Diego bullpen, but he could return in the first half of July.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Padres' Robert Suarez: Set for another side session

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2023

  Padres manager Bob Melvin said this weekend that Suarez (elbow) will throw another bullpen session in the coming days but remains without a definitive timeline for a return from the 60-day injured list, 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports. Suarez has been on the shelf all season with right elbow inflammation, but the reliever reached a major milestone in his recovery Friday, when he threw what Melvin said was a 26- or 27-pitch bullpen session that incorporated his full arsenal. Melvin acknowledged that the right-hander is on a similar buildup progression to a pitcher in the early stages of spring training, so Suarez will presumably need at least two or three weeks' worth of bullpen work, live sessions and minor-league rehab games before he's deemed fit to rejoin the San Diego bullpen. The 32-year-old was a key setup arm for the Padres as a rookie in 2022, making 45 appearances while logging a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB in 47.2 innings while notching five wins, 12 holds and one save.

  ... See More ... See Less