The Atlanta Braves have the National League East division title all wrapped up, and they are now getting a big piece back just days before the playoffs begin.
On Wednesday, reliever Robert Suarez was activated from the IL.
The #Braves today returned RHP Robert Suarez from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and optioned RHP Owen Murphy.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 23, 2026
Suarez hasn’t pitched with the Braves since June 19, and he was on the 60-day IL due to a right forearm strain and right elbow inflammation.
Prior to suffering the injury, he had a 4-0 record with a 0.56 ERA and four saves in 31 appearances.
Suarez was an All-Star for the San Diego Padres. In the offseason, he signed with the Braves in free agency on a three-year, $45 million deal, although he did not come to town expecting to be the team’s closer since Raisel Iglesias holds that spot.
The plan right now is for Suarez to make two appearances at the big-league level before the postseason, with the first one coming on Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds.
Robert Suarez is expected to make the first of what will likely be two regular sesaon appearances tonight. Suarez, who has been on the IL, since June was activated today. Owen Murphy was optioned.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 23, 2026
If the season ended today, the Braves would be the No. 3 seed in the NL standings, and they would host the Padres in the Wild Card round. However, the Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies all have identical 87-70 records entering Wednesday.
