Padres News: Mike Shildt Names Closer to Begin Season
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt has officially named Robert Suarez as the team's closer to start the season, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. With former closer Josh Hader leaving in the offseason, Suarez will now step up to take on the closing role, at least initially. This will be no easy task, as Hader was one of the best closers in the game in 2023.
Suarez will begin his time as the Padres' closer on Wednesday March 20, when the Padres face the Los Angeles Dodgers for the opening games of the 2024 MLB regular season. This will be a tall test for Suarez, as he begins the season going up against a lineup that includes Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the top three.
Suarez struggled in 2023 after putting together a strong 2022 season.
In 2023, Suarez appeared in 27 games with a 4.23 ERA. Suarez did deal with an injury at the start of the year and a 10-game suspension, but the Padres will really need him to step up as the closer now.
Suarez has proven he can succeed. Back in 2022, Suarez appeared in 45 games with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.
Prior to coming to MLB in 2022, Suarez played for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball from 2020-21, where he was the Central League saves leader both seasons.
Outside of Suarez, the Padres can opt to use left-handed relievers Wandy Peralta and Yuki Matsui in save opportunities when facing left-handed heavy lineups. But it sounds Suarez will get first crack at proving he can be San Diego's closer.
Suarez is entering the third year of a five-year, $46 million deal, but he does have an opt out after this season.
