New York Mets reliever Wander Suero has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, according to updates from MLB.com’s transaction log. Suero was recently elevated to the Mets’ roster to provide additional bullpen options but did not appear in a game before being designated for assignment on Saturday.
At 34 years old, Suero has had limited action in the major leagues this year, throwing just 6 1/3 innings with the Atlanta Braves, where he struggled, allowing eight earned runs and conceding three home runs while recording seven strikeouts. Throughout his MLB career, which primarily spanned from 2018 to 2021 with teams like the Washington Nationals before his time with the Dodgers, Astros, Braves, and now Mets, Suero has a cumulative ERA of 4.96 accompanied by a 25.2% strikeout rate, an 8.8% walk rate, and an average of 1.17 home runs allowed per nine innings.
In contrast, Suero’s performance at the Triple-A level has been superior this season. Across 48 1/3 innings, he has maintained an impressive 1.29 ERA, with only two home runs and a notable strikeout rate of 32.5%, alongside a reduced walk rate of 6.6%. Given that Suero has been subjected to outright assignment previously, he holds the choice to accept this assignment to Syracuse or decline and opt for free agency. Should he remain off the 40-man roster by season’s end, his extensive service time grants him the option to enter free agency, unless another MLB team decides to bring him back into their 40-man considerations.
Suero’s scenario reflects a challenge familiar to many veteran players striving to make a significant contribution at the major league level while balancing the opportunity for extensive game time and personal career decisions. Despite facing setbacks in the majors this year, his robust performance in Triple-A suggests he still holds potential value for teams looking to enhance their bullpen depth.