Robert Suárez

On April 16, 2015, Suárez signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. In 43 games for Saltillo, Suárez logged a 5–0 win–loss record and 1.71 earned run average (ERA) with 48 strikeouts.

On November 2, 2015, Suarez signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) .[1][2]

On April 10, 2016, Suarez made his NPB debut.[3] In 2016, he finished the regular season with a 2–6 record, a 3.19 ERA, 64 strikeouts, 26 holds, and one save in 53 2/3 innings.

On February 8, 2017, Suarez was selected to the Venezuela national baseball team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[4] On March 12, he injured his right elbow in a game against Mexico.[5] He had Tommy John surgery on April 14.[6]

On August 11, 2018, Suarez pitched in the Pacific League against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for the first time in two years. [7] He finished the regular season with 11 games pitched, a 1–1 win–loss record, a 6.30 ERA, 3 holds, and 10 strikeouts in 10 innings.

Suarez finished the 2019 regular season with 9 Games pitched, a 0–4 Win–loss record, a 5.74ERA, and 27 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. He pitched in the 2019 Japan Series. On November 28, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced that the team would not re-sign Suárez for next season.[8] On December 2, 2019, he became free agent.[9]

On December 19, 2019, Suárez signed with the Hanshin Tigers of the NPB.[10] In 2020, Suárez pitched to a 2.24 ERA over 52.1 innings.

On December 2, 2020, he became a free agent.[11] On December 24, Suárez re-signed with the Tigers.[12] On June 13, 2021, Suárez set a Hanshin club record by recording a save in his 12th consecutive mound appearance, breaking the previous record of 11 held by former Tigers pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa.[13] On June 30, Suárez’s streak ended when he came in to pitch in a tie game, with the new record being set at 14 consecutive mound appearances with a save.[14]

On December 1, 2021, Suárez signed a one-year contract with a 2023 player option with the San Diego Padres.[15]

On April 7, 2022, Suárez made his major league debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks, walking the first two batters he faced on a combined nine pitches before throwing a wild pitch, and then a hitting a batter. Suárez was removed from the game without having recorded an out. All three runners he allowed later scored, earning him the loss.[16] On July 12, Suárez was placed on the 60-day injured list after undergoing knee surgery to remove "loose impediments" the month prior.[17] He was activated on August 6.[18] On November 7, Suárez opted out of his contract and became a free agent.[19]

On November 17, 2022, the Padres signed Suárez to a 5-year, $46 million contract.[20] After suffering from arm stiffness and right elbow inflammation during spring training, Suárez began the 2023 season on the injured list.[21] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on April 20, 2023.[22] Suárez was activated on July 20.[23] On August 23, Suárez was ejected for a sticky substance following a glove check, and received a 10–day suspension, which he unsuccessfully appealed.[24]