It’s pretty telling what the Braves thought of Anderson that they’d rather take their chances with Suarez, who had a 6.02 ERA in 52 1/3 innings for the Angels last season and a 6.55 ERA this spring. Suarez was effective as a five-inning starter in 2021 and ’22, but he’s struggled with injuries since. The Braves will put him in middle relief and see what happens.

Suarez blew his chance of making the Angels with a 6.55 ERA in spring training. The 27-year-old left-handed needed a good spring after massive struggles in the last two seasons. Suarez had a 6.02 ERA in 2024 and an 8.29 ERA in 2023 while mostly pitching out of the bullpen. He showed more promise prior to ’23 while mostly starting for the Angels, but we assume he’ll have a bullpen role in Atlanta.

Suarez walked two and allowed two homers. The Angels could have non-tendered him over the winter after he struggled to a 6.02 ERA in 52 1/3 innings last season, but they kept him around, intending to use him as a middle reliever. He entered today with a 2.57 ERA and a 9/1 K/BB in seven innings, so he still should have a decent chance of making the team.

The 27-year-old southpaw was projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1.2 million through the arbitration process, so it looks like a fair deal for both sides. Suarez was hit extremely hard throughout the 2024 season, posting a cringe-inducing 6.02 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 56/27 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings in his 22 appearances (three starts). He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.