BALTIMORE -- Every time Albert Suárez leaves the Orioles, the 36-year-old right-hander finds his way back.
On Friday, Baltimore signed Suárez to a one-year MLB deal, bringing back the righty to bolster its bullpen amid a four-game series against American League East rival Toronto. Right-hander Cameron Weston, who tossed a scoreless inning in his big league debut in Thursday's 2-1 loss, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
Suárez's past six months have been eventful, beginning with getting non-tendered by the O's last Nov. 21. He returned to the Orioles on a Minor League contract on Dec. 17. After not making the club's Opening Day roster, he could have opted out of his deal, but he instead accepted a Triple-A assignment. (He wasn't in Norfolk for long, having his contract selected on April 1.)
On April 26, Suárez was designated for assignment. He elected free agency on April 29, then signed a new Minor League deal with Baltimore on April 30. His contract was selected on May 1.
On May 2, Suárez was DFA'd again. Then, he accepted an outright assignment to Norfolk and remained there until his contract was selected on May 19.
On Monday, Suárez was DFA'd for a third time this season. He elected free agency on Thursday, before returning on his new big league deal on Friday.
"I'm kind of used to it. This is a thing I don't control," Suárez said. "So I always try to be ready. And then, whatever happens, I'm just glad to be here and to be ready to help the team."
Manager Craig Albernaz was asked if every player could handle the transactions as well as Suárez.
"To be honest with you, no. And that's why we love Albert," Albernaz said. "He's a special individual. I think anyone that's been around him knows it is very tough to find someone that's more genuine than him. He's such a great teammate. He's also a really good pitcher, too. And his ability to kind of deal with the DFA and be in limbo and come right back in the clubhouse like nothing ever happened -- and then toe the mound and get big league hitters out -- it's really impressive.
"He's a valuable piece to what we do, especially in the bullpen."
Suárez has pitched well when on Baltimore's roster this season. He has a 2.75 ERA in 19 2/3 innings over seven relief appearances after tossing four scoreless frames to save a taxed 'pen during a 4-1 loss in the second half of a doubleheader against Detroit this past Sunday.
After pitching in Japan (2019-21) and Korea (2022-23) for a combined five seasons, Suárez returned to the United States by signing a Minor League deal with the Orioles on Sept. 15, 2023. He was a surprise story in '24, when he recorded a 3.70 ERA in 32 games (24 starts) for Baltimore.
Last year, Suárez was limited to five games (one start) due to two stints on the injured list (right subscapularis strain and right elbow discomfort), but he again pitched well when healthy, posting a 2.31 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.
Over the past three seasons, Suárez has stated multiple times how much he has enjoyed pitching for the O's, and that continues to be the case.
"It's very special," Suárez said. "I've been here the past two years, three years now. So for me, it's very special. This group of guys now that we have this year is really awesome to play with."