Suarez earned a save during Thursday's win over the Giants, allowing one run on one hit across one inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

With two outs in the ninth inning, Suarez gave up a solo homer to Michael Conforto but still was able to snare his second save in as many appearances. It appears Suarez has a comfortable hold on the Padres' closer role, but with arms like Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta also earning high-leverage work, the right-hander could be on a short leash.

Suarez recorded the final four outs of Thursday's 15-11 win over the Dodgers in South Korea to earn his first save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out two batters.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez's wild pitch and subsequent single allowed to Mookie Betts in the eighth inning brought the Dodgers to within one run, but San Diego gave the right-hander some extra cushion the next half inning, and Suarez bounced back with a 1-2-3 frame in the bottom of the ninth. Padres manager Mike Shildt had declined to name a closer in spring training, but the team's beat writers pointed to Suarez being the most likely candidate to close. Yuki Matsui pitched in the sixth inning Wednesday in his major-league debut.

Padres manager Mike Shildt mentioned Suarez and Yuki Matsui as possibilities but declined to name a closer when asked last week, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shildt also brought up Wandy Peralta as a high-leverage option but, perhaps notably, did not bring up Woo-suk Go's name. The manager indicated that it's possible he could name a closer based on how things go in spring training but also hinted that it might be a committee based on the situation and who is available. While Suarez and Matsui appear to be the guys for fantasy managers to target if they're drafting early, it's a situation that lacks clarity at the moment.

Suarez is the Padres' projected closer even after the team's addition of Yuki Matsui, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matsui was recently inked to a five-year, $28 million contract and is expected to handle high-leverage innings, but Lin still views Suarez as the club's likely closer. Suarez -- who signed a five-year, $46 million deal last offseason to remain with the Padres -- was limited to just 26 appearances in 2023 while battling elbow issues, posting a 4.23 ERA and 24:10 K:BB across 27.2 innings. The 32-year-old ended the season healthy, though, and his 97.7 mph average four-seamer velocity was right in line with what he showed during his stellar 2022 campaign. Whether new manager Mike Shildt plans to name a closer isn't clear, but it would appear Suarez could have the early leg up.

The Padres reinstated Suarez (suspension) from the restricted list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez will rejoin the Padres for the start of their three-game series in Los Angeles that begins Monday after he completed a 10-game suspension for allegedly using a foreign substance during an Aug. 21 relief appearance. The setup man holds a 5.51 ERA and 13:5 K:BB over 16.1 innings for the Padres this season.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Suarez has dropped the appeal of his 10-game suspension and will begin serving it Thursday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Major League Baseball handed Suarez the 10-game punishment last week for allegedly having a foreign substance on his arm as he prepared to make a relief appearance against the Marlins. He will be unavailable for a string of crucial series versus the Giants, Phillies and Astros.

Suarez was suspended 10 games Friday for the alleged use of foreign substances on the mound during Wednesday's win over Miami, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez will appeal the decision and remain active until the appeal is heard. The 32-year-old reliever was ejected prior to appearing in the eighth inning of Wednesday's contest after umpires determined his left arm was too sticky. Suarez has been adamant that what the umpires found was just sunscreen.

Suarez notched a hold against the Tigers on Friday by pitching one perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez made his season debut after a prolonged absence due to an elbow injury. San Diego manager Bob Melvin didn't hesitate to immediately deploy him in a high-leverage situation, bringing the right-hander in to protect a one-run eighth-inning lead. Suarez didn't show any signs of rust, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches. It appears the Padres may slot Suarez into a set-up role immediately as they seek to make up ground in the wild-card race.

Suarez (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Thursday's game in Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old righty gave up six earned runs in five innings with more walks (five) than strikeouts (four) during his rehab assignment. Suarez could eventually start working in a setup role, but he will probably be eased back in low-leverage situations.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Suarez (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez has joined the Padres in Toronto and might finally be ready to be a contributor out of the bullpen. The 32-year-old right-hander re-upped with San Diego on a five-year, $46 million contract over the winter, but he missed the entire first half while recovering from a severe case of elbow inflammation.