Title: Baltimore Orioles Reliever Albert Suárez Moves to 60-Day IL with Injured Shoulder: What This Means for the Team’s Bullpen and His Future

In a season already filled with ups and downs for the Baltimore Orioles, a key player has now been sidelined for the foreseeable future. Albert Suárez, one of the team’s more reliable bullpen arms, has been moved to the 60-day injured list due to a shoulder injury. This setback for the right-hander is a major blow to the Orioles’ pitching staff, especially considering the importance of their bullpen in the team’s 2025 season aspirations.

The Injury and Immediate Impact

Albert Suárez, who joined the Orioles’ bullpen as a free agent during the offseason, had been performing well in a middle-relief role. Known for his ability to generate ground balls and pitch effectively in high-leverage situations, Suárez seemed to be a valuable addition to a team with postseason ambitions. Unfortunately, shoulder injuries are notoriously difficult to predict and manage, and the club recently announced that Suárez would be moved to the 60-day injured list, officially marking him out of action for at least two months.

The specifics of Suárez’s injury have not been fully disclosed, but the fact that it is significant enough to require such a lengthy absence raises concerns for both his current season and his future with the team. Shoulder injuries in pitchers can be tricky, and recovery timelines can vary widely. For a team like the Orioles, who rely heavily on bullpen depth, this injury puts a noticeable dent in their pitching plans.

This move opens up a spot on the Orioles’ 40-man roster, but it also leaves a noticeable gap in the bullpen. Suárez had been a versatile option for manager Brandon Hyde, capable of working in multiple innings and contributing to high-leverage situations. The Orioles will now have to adjust to life without him for an extended period of time.

How the Orioles Will Adjust

With Suárez out, the Orioles will have to turn to other members of their bullpen to step up in the meantime. One of the biggest challenges facing the team is the loss of Suárez’s ability to pitch multiple innings in relief. He had shown flashes of dominance early in the season, maintaining a respectable ERA and WHIP while also providing consistency. This type of bullpen arm is incredibly valuable, especially for a team with playoff aspirations, as the bullpen is often called upon to bridge the gap between the starters and the closer.

In Suárez’s absence, the Orioles will likely rely on pitchers like Cionel Pérez, Dillon Tate, and Yennier Cano to fill the void. Pérez has experience in high-leverage situations and could assume a more prominent role in middle relief. Tate, another hard-throwing right-hander, might be called upon to pitch more innings to help make up for the loss of Suárez’s versatility. Cano, who has been an effective weapon in late innings, will also see an uptick in his usage as the Orioles work to maintain bullpen depth.

The Bigger Picture: Orioles’ Pitching Staff

The injury to Suárez is part of a larger issue with the Orioles’ pitching staff in 2025. While the team’s offense has been explosive, the pitching staff has had its fair share of challenges. The starting rotation has generally performed well, with young pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer showing signs of promise, but the bullpen has been a weak point throughout the season. Without Suárez’s reliable presence, the Orioles may struggle to maintain the effectiveness they need in high-leverage games, especially in the later innings.

In many ways, this injury could highlight the Orioles’ need to look for external help as the trade deadline approaches. The team may be forced to consider adding a veteran arm to bolster the bullpen or look for another pitcher who can take on a long-relief role. Even before Suárez’s injury, the Orioles had been linked to a number of potential bullpen targets in trade rumors, and this move to the 60-day IL could accelerate their pursuit of another arm.

The Uncertainty Around Shoulder Injuries

One of the most frustrating aspects of shoulder injuries, especially for pitchers, is the uncertainty surrounding recovery. The shoulder is a complex joint that plays a significant role in a pitcher’s mechanics and overall performance. Unlike elbow injuries, which are often treated with Tommy John surgery, shoulder injuries can vary in severity and require different treatment plans. Some players are able to recover with rest and rehab, while others may face surgical options that could sideline them for an extended period.

For Suárez, this injury presents an even more significant challenge as he tries to get back to full health. The timing of his injury could impact not only the Orioles’ bullpen depth for the remainder of the 2025 season but also Suárez’s future with the team. He signed a one-year deal with the Orioles in the offseason, and this injury could affect his chances of securing a longer-term contract with the organization or elsewhere. The Orioles will need to evaluate whether the shoulder injury will require long-term rehabilitation or whether it’s something that can be managed with treatment and rest.

If Suárez is unable to return to his previous level of effectiveness or if his recovery is prolonged, the Orioles may explore other bullpen options in the offseason. For now, the focus will be on his recovery and whether he can make it back in time to contribute down the stretch.

The Orioles’ Bullpen Depth Moving Forward

Despite the loss of Suárez, the Orioles’ bullpen still has some solid pieces that can help the team stay competitive. Yennier Cano has emerged as one of the team’s most trusted relievers in 2025, and his ability to close out games has been crucial to the team’s success. Cano’s rise to prominence has been a bright spot in the Orioles’ bullpen, and they will likely lean on him even more in Suárez’s absence.

Additionally, the development of young arms like Félix Bautista and Tyler Wells has been a positive sign for the future of the bullpen. Bautista, in particular, has emerged as a force with his fastball and slider combination, and his ability to get strikeouts in critical situations will be essential for the Orioles as they attempt to navigate their way through the summer months without Suárez.

However, as effective as these pitchers have been, the Orioles will need to find additional depth and consistency as they move through the remainder of the season. If they continue to struggle with bullpen fatigue or performance issues, the team could find itself at a disadvantage when it matters most—during tight games late in the season and, ideally, in the playoffs.

Suárez’s Future with the Orioles

Looking beyond 2025, Suárez’s injury could have long-term implications for his future with the Orioles. The 60-day IL stint significantly reduces the chances that he will be able to prove himself as a key contributor this season. The Orioles had hoped that Suárez would provide much-needed depth to their bullpen, and his injury could limit their ability to compete in the competitive American League East.

Depending on how his recovery unfolds, Suárez’s future with the team may be in question. If he struggles to return to his former self, the Orioles may choose not to re-sign him in the offseason, especially if they look to invest in a more reliable arm to shore up their bullpen. However, if Suárez is able to make a full recovery and contribute effectively later in the season, the Orioles could view him as a valuable asset for the future.

Ultimately, Suárez’s situation will depend on the nature of his injury and how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation. If he can return to form, the Orioles could view him as a key piece of their bullpen heading into 2026 and beyond.

Albert Suárez’s move to the 60-day injured list is a significant blow to the Baltimore Orioles, particularly given the team’s aspirations for the 2025 season. The loss of his reliable arm in the bullpen will force the team to look for other options to maintain their performance late in games. With the Orioles already dealing with bullpen depth issues, Suárez’s injury raises concerns about the team’s chances of staying competitive in the American League East.

While it remains uncertain how Suárez will recover from his shoulder injury, the Orioles must now focus on getting the most out of their remaining bullpen arms and, potentially, exploring external options to shore up their relief corps. For Suárez, the coming months will be crucial in determining both his future with the Orioles and his career moving forward. The road to recovery from a shoulder injury is never easy, but with the right treatment and patience, there’s still hope that Suárez can return to form and help the Orioles make a push for the postseason.