The Atlanta Braves announced that pitcher Jose Suarez was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners and reliever Joel Payamps was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett. Both pitchers were designed for assignment by Atlanta on May 1.
Suarez had pitched in six games with the Braves, making one start and collecting one three-inning save. He struck out 21 but walked 12 in 16.1 innings, allowing 12 earned runs. His underlying peripherals were better than the outcome, and the left-hander will now try to stick
as a swingman with the Mariners, whom the Braves will face in their next series.
Suarez was acquired last Spring in a deal for pitcher Ian Anderson and appeared in seven games for the Braves.
Payamps, who was a late-in-the-season pickup last year by Atlanta, was retained on a $2.5M contract by Atlanta making him less likely to be claimed by an opposing team. He pitched in 12 games for Atlanta in 2026 but allowed seven earned runs in only 7.2 innings pitched, striking out nine and walking four.
Assuming Payamps accepts his assignment to the Stripers, he’s likely to re-surface in Atlanta. He had been an average to above average reliever until struggling with the Milwaukee Brewers last year. He pitched in two games after joining the Braves in September last season.
