Veteran reliever Robert Suarez totaled a National League best 40 saves over 70 appearances last season for the San Diego Padres. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
The Atlanta Braves signed All-Star closer Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million deal, they announced Thursday.
The Braves designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Rolison for assignment in a corresponding transaction to make room for Suarez on their 40-man roster.
Suarez, 34, went 4-6 with a 2.97 ERA and National League-best 40 saves over 70 appearances last season for the San Diego Padres. The veteran right-handed relief pitcher went 9-3 with a 2.77 ERA and 36 saves over 65 appearances in 2024 in route to his first of two All-Star selections.
Braves relief pitchers logged the seventh-worst ERA (4.19) in the National League last off-season. Suarez was part of a Padres bullpen that posted an MLB-best 3.06 ERA.
Suarez is set to make $13 million in 2026 and $16 million in 2027 and 2028. The Braves said he will donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
He will likely serve as a setup man for Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, who went 4-6 with a 3.21 ERA and 29 saves over 70 appearances last season. Iglesias led the National League with 57 games finished in 2025. He signed a one-year, $16 million deal with the Braves in November.
Rivalries that shaped sports history
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe FrazierJoe Frazier and Muhammad Ali’s rivalry became one of boxing’s most defining trilogies. Frazier (R) staggers after taking a hard right from Ali during the 14th round of their title fight in Manila, on October 1, 1975. Ali won by TKO to retain the heavyweight championship. UPI File Photo | License Photo
