Padres manager Bob Melvin said this weekend that Suarez (elbow) will throw another bullpen session in the coming days but remains without a definitive timeline for a return from the 60-day injured list, 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez has been on the shelf all season with right elbow inflammation, but the reliever reached a major milestone in his recovery Friday, when he threw what Melvin said was a 26- or 27-pitch bullpen session that incorporated his full arsenal. Melvin acknowledged that the right-hander is on a similar buildup progression to a pitcher in the early stages of spring training, so Suarez will presumably need at least two or three weeks' worth of bullpen work, live sessions and minor-league rehab games before he's deemed fit to rejoin the San Diego bullpen. The 32-year-old was a key setup arm for the Padres as a rookie in 2022, making 45 appearances while logging a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB in 47.2 innings while notching five wins, 12 holds and one save.

Suarez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

This is a significant step toward a return for Suarez, who has yet to pitch this season as a result of right elbow inflammation that first occurred during spring training. The right-hander is likely still weeks away from a return, and it is unclear when he may be able to begin a rehab assignment.

Suarez (elbow) is scheduled to throw a full bullpen session Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez has already thrown off the mound a couple of times, but the catcher was positioned in front of the plate during those workouts. He's now ready to take things to the next level in his ongoing recovery from lingering stiffness and inflammation in his right elbow. Re-signed to a five-year, $46 million contract this offseason, the 32-year-old setup man could finally be a contributor for the Padres around the end of June.

Suarez (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez was placed on the 15-day IL toward the end of March, and he was recently shut down from throwing after experiencing tightness in his right elbow while playing catch. There's still no details on when the Padres plan to have him get back to throwing, but he will certainly be out for much longer than originally expected.

Suarez (elbow) has been shut down from throwing after experiencing tightness in his right elbow while playing catch, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez was placed on the 15-day IL on March 30 due to stiffness and inflammation in his right elbow. He began playing catch April 1 but is no longer throwing due to the setback. The right-hander had an MRI that revealed no ligament damage in the tight elbow, but it's uncertain when he'll be able to resume throwing. Suarez is unlikely to rejoin the Padres bullpen until at least May.

Suarez (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez developed some arm stiffness and right elbow inflammation around the middle of spring camp, and it's not exactly clear when he might be able to make his 2023 debut. The right-hander landed a five-year, $46 million contract from the Padres in November and will operate in a prominent setup role whenever he's back to full health.

Suarez is likely to begin the season on the injured list because of arm stiffness and joint inflammation, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

An MRI revealed no structural damage for Suarez, but the right-hander hasn't been able to throw since March 12, and he's unlikely to be ready for the regular season. Suarez was expected to be a big part of the San Diego bullpen behind Josh Hader, and it now appears we won't see him pitch for the Padres before the middle of April.

Suarez agreed to a five-year, $46 million contract with the Padres on Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander recently declined his $5 million player option for 2023 to become a free agent, but he quickly reached a new deal with the Friars. Suarez, once he recovered from a knee injury, pitched well in the late innings for San Diego last year and had a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB across 47.2 innings, and he should fill a high-leverage role again in 2023.

Suarez declined his $5 million player option for 2023 and became a free agent Monday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Suarez joined the Padres on a one-year, $5 million deal last December and was a candidate to contend for the club's vacant closing role in spring training after he had been a prolific end gamer while pitching overseas in Japan in 2020 and 2021, but he never gained much traction as San Diego's ninth-inning man. Even so, Suarez still found a niche in the late innings as a setup man and thrived in that capacity, notching a 2.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB in 47.2 innings while collecting 12 holds and one save. Suarez could look to find a home this winter with a team that may give him a clearer path to a closing gig, but at the very least, he should net a bigger contract in free agency after excelling in his first season back in North America.

Suarez picked up a hold against the Cardinals on Wednesday with a perfect inning of work.

EDGE Analysis

Padres starter Blake Snell tossed seven scoreless frames before departing having thrown 117 pitches. Suarez was called upon to be the bridge to closer Josh Hader and needed just 12 pitches to retire St. Louis in order. It was the former's seventh outing in September, and he's yet to give up a run this month. Suarez has emerged as a key high-leverage arm for San Diego this season, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 49:18 K:BB over 41 innings while notching four wins, one save and 10 holds.