The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their pitching depth by signing right-handed pitcher Wander Suero to a minor league contract, with an invitation to major league spring training.his move, reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America, reflects the Braves’ strategy of enhancing their bullpen options ahead of the 2025 MLB season.
Wander Suero’s Professional Journey
Wander Suero, 33, hails from Sabana Larga, Dominican Republic.e began his professional baseball career when he signed with the Washington Nationals as a non-drafted free agent on May 2, 2010.ver the years, Suero has developed a reputation as a reliable reliever, utilizing a cutter-changeup mix to navigate opposing lineups.
Major League Tenure with the Washington Nationals
Suero made his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2018.etween 2018 and 2020, he appeared in 142⅔ innings, posting a 4.10 ERA, a 26.1% strikeout rate, and an 8.5% walk rate.uring this period, he secured one save and 27 holds, underscoring his role as a dependable middle reliever.otably, in the 2019 season, Suero was the most utilized reliever for the Nationals, leading the team in both appearances and relief innings.e also contributed to the Nationals’ World Series championship run that year, appearing in three games during the series and retiring all five batters he faced without allowing any baserunners.
Challenges and Transitions
The 2021 season proved challenging for Suero, as his ERA escalated to 6.33 over 42⅔ innings.ollowing this downturn, the Nationals non-tendered him, making him a free agent.n the subsequent years, Suero signed minor league deals with several organizations, including the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Houston Astros.hile his major league appearances were limited during this time, he continued to showcase his skills in Triple-A.n 2023, with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, he recorded a 3.26 ERA and 17 saves over 47 games, earning MiLB.com Organizational All-Star honors.
Resurgence with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys
In 2024, Suero joined the Houston Astros organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys.e delivered an impressive performance, pitching 67⅔ innings with a 2.66 ERA and a 24.8% strikeout rate.is efforts were instrumental in leading the Space Cowboys to a Pacific Coast League championship and a Triple-A National Championship.uero’s 37 saves during the season set both franchise and PCL records, highlighting his effectiveness as a closer at the Triple-A level.
Strategic Fit for the Atlanta Braves
The Braves’ decision to sign Suero aligns with their need to reinforce bullpen depth, especially considering recent developments.ey relievers such as A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez, and John Brebbia have entered free agency, and Joe Jiménez is expected to miss the entire 2025 season due to knee surgery.uero’s experience and recent success in Triple-A make him a valuable addition to the Braves’ pitching staff.oreover, he retains one minor league option year, providing the organization with roster flexibility throughout the season.
Looking Ahead
As Suero joins the Braves for spring training, he will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the major league bullpen.is blend of experience and recent performance resurgence positions him as a strong candidate to contribute to Atlanta’s pitching corps in the upcoming season.he Braves’ investment in Suero reflects a broader strategy of identifying and acquiring seasoned players who can provide depth and stability, particularly in high-leverage situations. n summary, Wander Suero’s signing represents a strategic move by the Atlanta Braves to enhance theirullpen depth with a pitcher who has demonstrated both resilience and effectiveness throughout his career.s the 2025 season approaches, Suero’s presence could prove pivotal in fortifying the Braves’ relief pitching, contributing to the team’s overall competitiveness in the league.
Leave a Reply