None of the other top 10 closers in the major leagues have been used in the same way that Robert Suarez has been used in games for the Padres.
And no one involved in the team’s decision-making thinks that’s a cause for concern.
“No,” manager Mike Shildt said. “You are welcome.”
Among the 10 MLB pitchers with at least 15 saves, Suárez pitched the sixth-most innings and made the seventh-most appearances.
But he has been asked to get at least four outs seven times, making a save four of them, earning two wins, and on Tuesday in Philadelphia he blew his first save (in 18 chances) this season.
No other pitcher with at least 15 saves has been asked to do so more than three times. Of the 15 pitchers with at least 13 saves, a pair of 25-year-old closers outperformed the 31-year-old Suarez. Oakland’s Mason Miller has been asked to get four or more outs nine times, and Seattle’s Andrés Muñoz has been asked to do so eight times.
The main reason the Padres have no qualms about using Suarez is because they monitor his workload, speed and arm position, among other factors that could be indicators that he is fatigued. They also point out the work he has done to strengthen himself.
“He’s recovering better than ever,” pitching coach Rubén Niebla said. “His preparation of him is incredible. His communication is excellent.”
Shildt noted that “guys used to do two (innings), guys used to do three.”
However, he also acknowledged that this has not been the norm for most relievers for some time. In particular, closers who pitch 100 mph aren’t asked to go more than one inning very often, if at all. Four of the closers with at least 15 saves have yet to be asked to get more than three outs.
There’s no doubt the Padres would have liked to keep Suarez from entering some games as early as he did. One of those cases was on Tuesday, when Wandy Peralta gave up a game-tying home run in the eighth inning. (There have been three other occasions when he was called in the eighth when the reliever in front of him allowed runners to reach base and a lead precarious enough that the Padres felt Suarez was their only option.)
“Yeah, when guys do their jobs, we’re in a better position,” Shildt said. “Always: bullpen, starter, that’s an obvious point.”
But the Padres have a closer who already got his guaranteed long-term contract (unlike former closer Josh Hader) and is willing to do what is asked of him. Suárez says he feels good.
“More than anything I try to be prepared,” Suárez said through interpreter Pedro Gutiérrez. “It is not a decision that is in my hands. Someone else does it. I get the call and I need to be prepared.”
With 30⅔ innings this season, Suárez is two fewer innings than he pitched in 2023 among the major leagues (27⅔) and in minor league rehab assignment (five innings). He is at nearly 60 percent of his 2022 innings total. He pitched 62⅓ innings for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan in 2021, 52⅓ in 2020 and 80⅔ in 2019.
Another thing that Suarez’s unique workload has enabled is his efficiency. He got four outs on eight pitches against the A’s. He threw 15 pitches to get four outs against the Dodgers. He has completed an inning on 12 pitches or fewer 12 times this season.
Only once was Suárez asked to get four outs when he pitched the day before. On other occasions he had at least two days of rest. On two occasions he has had five days off. The first time he entered the eighth inning was in his first appearance of the season.
“(If) he’s rested and we’re in a situation where if he can go, he’ll go,” Shildt said. “…We will clearly make sure he is healthy. And every time we’ve done it, he’s basically had at least a couple of days off on the front lines.”
Injury updates
- Joe Musgrove threw a weighted ball against a wall about 30 times Thursday. He said he did well and hopes to be able to play ball in a few days. Given that he has to progress to playing catch, then throwing off a mound and then having to make at least a few rehab starts, the soonest he could be expected to return is late July.
- Shildt confirmed that Yu Darvish’s next start will be for the Padres after he threw 49 pitches in 3⅓ innings in a rehab start Wednesday at Single-A Fort Wayne. Darvish hasn’t pitched since he left his May 29 start and went on the disabled list with a left groin strain. His turn in the rotation would be Tuesday, but it has not been decided what day he will return.
- Second baseman Xander Bogaerts, out since suffering a fractured left shoulder socket on May 20, accepted ground balls for the second day. He didn’t pitch. He has been taking batting practice in the cage, primarily swinging with one hand, although he said he plans to start using both hands soon. He said a return in “early July” is possible.
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