Robert Suarez is back, and he looks ready to fix the bullpen. The Braves got their first real look at his arm since June. He threw one scoreless inning for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, striking out one batter and allowing one to hit. He struck out a batter and gave up just one hit. No runs scored. That is all the data needed to make a case. He has a 0.56 ERA from his 31 appearances before the injury. This number screams that he is the guy the team needs. The National League Wild Card Series starts on Sept. 29. The regular season ends on Sept. 27. There is almost no time to waste.
The Manager’s Hesitation Is Wrong
Manager Walt Weiss is playing it too safe. He told reporters on Friday that he might not let Suarez pitch for the big league club before the season ends. He said there was a chance the pitcher would stay at the Spring Training complex. Weiss had not committed to bringing Suarez back before the regular season ended and said continuing his rehab until the postseason remained an option. This is a mistake. Weiss admitted the rehab has gone well. “We’re just reevaluating him every day, but things have gone well,” Weiss said, according to MLB.com. He also noted that “He’s progressed well throughout this rehab.” So why hold him back?
The risk of using him in two more games is tiny compared to the reward. Suarez is a top setup man. He was a difference maker before his right elbow got inflamed. The team needs that kind of arm for the Wild Card. Waiting for a “nice to see” moment in a regular game is not worth the cost. The playoff series is the only game that matters. If he is healthy, he pitches. The numbers show he is ready. The manager should stop overthinking it and trust the stats.
The Clock Is Ticking Down
The timeline is brutal. The regular season closes on Sept. 27. The Wild Card Series begins on Sept. 29. There is only one off-day between the end of regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. Suarez threw his first game since June 19 on Sunday. He needs to get his legs under him in a real game. If the Braves wait, they lose a chance to test him under pressure. Deciding the optimal way to ready him for the postseason remains the team’s task. That decision should be easy. The scoreless inning in Gwinnett proved the arm is working. The only question left is if Weiss will let him throw in Atlanta before the playoffs start.
