José Suárez Bio
José Rances Suárez Quintero (born January 3, 1998) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played for the Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, and Seattle Mariners. A native of Naguanagua, Venezuela, Suárez signed with the Angels as an international free agent at the age of 16 in 2014. After spending five seasons in the Angels minor league system, he made his MLB debut in 2019. On September 4, 2021, Suárez threw the first complete game of his career. Throughout his MLB career, he has accumulated a 23–31 win-loss record with a 5.27 earned run average and 410 strikeouts across parts of eight seasons.
Early Life and Background
José Rances Suárez Quintero was born on January 3, 1998, in Naguanagua, Venezuela. Growing up in Venezuela, Suárez developed a passion for baseball at a young age. Like many Venezuelan players, he grew up dreaming of playing in Major League Baseball and honed his skills in local baseball programs before being discovered by professional scouts.
At just 16 years old, Suárez signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent on July 3, 2014. His signing represented the beginning of his professional baseball journey and marked his transition from youth baseball in Venezuela to the structured minor league system in the United States.
Path to Major League Baseball
Suárez spent his first professional season in 2015 with the Dominican Summer League Angels and Arizona League Angels. He compiled a combined 3-3 record with a 2.97 earned run average in 15 games, 13 of which were starts. The following year, 2016, he pitched for the Arizona League Angels and Orem Owlz, posting a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA in 12 games.
In 2017, Suárez showed significant improvement while playing for the Arizona League Angels and Burlington Bees. He recorded a combined 6-1 record with a 3.28 ERA in 15 starts. His strong performance continued in 2018 when he began the season with the Inland Empire 66ers before being promoted to the Mobile BayBears and eventually the Salt Lake Bees. Between the three clubs, he made 26 starts and posted a 3-6 record with a 3.92 ERA. His solid season earned him a spot on the Angels 40-man roster after the 2018 campaign.
José Suárez Career
Los Angeles Angels (2019–2024)
Suárez opened the 2019 season on the injured list with shoulder soreness and was assigned to Salt Lake upon his return. On June 2, 2019, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time to start against the Seattle Mariners, where he picked up his first major league win. He finished the season with a 7.11 ERA in 81 innings, allowing 23 home runs. In 2020, Suárez struggled significantly, recording a 38.57 ERA after two starts lasting just two and one-third innings total before being optioned off the roster.
The 2021 season marked a turning point in Suárez’s career. He made his first major league appearance on May 10 against the Houston Astros, pitching four innings and allowing one run. He was selected as the starting pitcher in the 2021 MLB Little League Classic. On September 4, 2021, against the Texas Rangers, Suárez pitched his first complete game of his career, allowing one run and striking out eight batters. In 23 games (14 starts), he logged an 8–8 record with a 3.75 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 98 and one-third innings pitched.
In 2022, Suárez made 22 appearances (20 starts) and registered an 8–8 record with a 3.96 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 109.0 innings. The year marked his second consecutive season finishing 8–8 with an ERA under 4.00, and he set new career highs in strikeouts and innings pitched while accumulating over 100 innings for the first time in his major league career. The 2023 season proved challenging as Suárez began the year out of the Angels rotation, struggling to a 7.89 ERA across his first five starts. On May 7 against the Texas Rangers, he departed after two and two-thirds innings following an MRI that revealed a left shoulder strain. He was placed on the injured list and later transferred to the 60-day injured list before being activated on September 11.
In 2024, Suárez made 18 appearances for the Angels and struggled to an 8.15 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 35 and one-third innings pitched. On June 17, 2024, he was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Salt Lake on June 24. The Angels selected Suárez’s contract on September 9, 2024, adding him back to their active roster for the remainder of the season.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025–2026)
On March 23, 2025, Suárez was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Ian Anderson. He was designated for assignment on April 21 following the acquisition of Scott Blewett. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on April 24. On September 16, the Braves selected Suárez’s contract, adding him back to their active roster. He made seven total appearances (including one start) for Atlanta, compiling a 2-0 record with a 1.86 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and one save across 19 and one-third innings pitched.
On January 15, 2026, Suárez was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. He was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Weston Wilson on January 22. On January 26, he was claimed back off waivers by the Braves. In eight appearances for Atlanta, he struggled to a 6.61 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 16 and one-third innings pitched. The Braves designated Suárez for assignment on May 1, 2026.
Seattle Mariners (2026)
On May 3, 2026, Suárez was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. He made one appearance for Seattle, allowing one run with three strikeouts in two innings pitched against the Chicago White Sox on May 9. On May 12, the Mariners designated Suárez for assignment.
Athletics (2026–Present)
On May 14, 2026, the Mariners traded Suárez to the Athletics in exchange for cash considerations. This move marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career as he joined a rebuilding franchise looking to develop young pitching talent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Suárez has shown the ability to work effectively as both a starter and reliever throughout his career. His best seasons have come when he has been able to maintain consistency over a full season, as evidenced by his 2021 and 2022 campaigns where he posted ERAs under 4.00 while working primarily as a starter. His complete-game performance against the Texas Rangers in 2021 demonstrated his ability to pitch deep into games when his stuff is working well.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Suárez’s career came on September 4, 2021, when he threw his first complete game, allowing just one run while striking out eight batters against the Texas Rangers. His 2022 season saw him set career highs in strikeouts (103) and innings pitched (109.0) while finishing with an 8–8 record and a 3.96 ERA. He also recorded his first major league save during his time with the Atlanta Braves in 2025.
José Suárez Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2019 to 2026, Suárez has accumulated 23 wins against 31 losses across regular season play. His most productive seasons came in 2021 and 2022, when he went a combined 16–16 with ERAs under 4.00. He has made 410 career strikeouts across approximately 190 major league innings pitched.
Los Angeles Angels Highlights
During his time with the Angels from 2019 to 2024, Suárez established himself as a reliable mid-rotation starter at his best. His standout season came in 2022 when he went 8–8 with a 3.96 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 109.0 innings. His complete-game performance on September 4, 2021, remains one of the best outings of his career. He also had a solid 2021 season, going 8–8 with a 3.75 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 98 and one-third innings.
Other Teams Highlights
With the Atlanta Braves in 2025, Suárez made a smooth transition to a relief role, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.86 ERA and recording his first career save. His brief stints with the Seattle Mariners and transition to the Athletics in 2026 have been limited in sample size but show his ability to bounce between organizations as a depth arm.
José Suárez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Suárez’s family background and parents are not publicly available. He has maintained a private personal life throughout his professional career, focusing on his baseball development and MLB career.
Personal Life
José Suárez continues to dedicate himself to his professional baseball career. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly known. As a Venezuelan native, he maintains connections to his home country while pursuing his career in Major League Baseball in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Suárez as he joined the Atlanta Braves organization via trade in late March. After an initial stint with the major league club, he was designated for assignment in April and spent time at Triple-A Gwinnett before being called back up in September. Upon his return to the majors, he demonstrated improved form, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.86 ERA in seven appearances. His ability to contribute both as a starter and reliever provided valuable flexibility for the Braves bullpen down the stretch of the season.