Biography
Robert Alexander Suárez Subero (born March 1, 1991) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Hanshin Tigers.
Career
Saraperos de Saltillo
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.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
On November 2, 2015, Suarez signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) .
On April 10, 2016, Suarez made his NPB debut. 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. On March 12, he injured his right elbow in a game against Mexico. He had Tommy John surgery on April 14.
On August 11, 2018, Suarez pitched in the Pacific League against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for the first time in two years. 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. On December 2, 2019, he became a free agent.
Hanshin Tigers
On December 19, 2019, Suárez signed with the Hanshin Tigers of the NPB. In 2020, Suárez pitched to a 2.24 ERA over 52.1 innings.
On December 2, 2020, he became a free agent. On December 24, Suárez re-signed with the Tigers. 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. 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.
San Diego Padres
On December 1, 2021, Suárez signed a one-year contract with a 2023 player option with the San Diego Padres.
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 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. On July 12, Suárez was placed on the 60-day injured list after undergoing knee surgery to remove "loose impediments" the month prior. He was activated on August 6. On November 7, Suárez opted out of his contract and became a free agent.
On November 17, 2022, the Padres signed Suárez to a 5-year, $46 million contract. After suffering from arm stiffness and right elbow inflammation during spring training, Suárez began the 2023 season on the injured list. He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on April 20, 2023. Suárez was activated on July 20. On August 23, Suárez was ejected for a sticky substance following a glove check, and received a 10–day suspension, which he unsuccessfully appealed.
In the 2024 season, Suárez ended with a 9–3 record and a 2.77 ERA with 36 saves and 59 strikeouts.
On May 2, 2025, he was rewarded the American League Major League Baseball Reliever of the Year Award for April and the second time in his career as he leads the Majors with 12 saves, striking out 16 batters, and has a 0.57 WHIP across his 14 appearances, during which he's pitched to a 0.64 ERA. And, he's held opposing batters to a .106 average.
Personal life
His brother, Albert Suárez, is also a pitcher in MLB.