Andrew Suarez, 31, who played for the LG Twins in the KBO, has had a difficult time returning to the major leagues. He was released after the season and has to find a new team, but the reality is not easy.
Japan’s Full Count reported on the 12th (KST), “His return to the major leagues was futile. Suarez has become a free agent and is facing a harsh reality.”굿모닝토토 주소
A second-round pick of the San Francisco Giants in the 2015 draft, Suarez made his professional debut in 2018 and had a brief stint in the big leagues through 2020. In three seasons in the majors, he compiled a 7-15 record with a 4.66 ERA in 56 games (31 starts).
In 2021, he took on a new challenge. He’s headed to South Korea. In 23 games with the LG Twins, he went 10-2 with a 2.18 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 115 1/3 innings.
He was not re-signed. LG wanted to re-sign him, but they were unable to reach an agreement, and Suarez moved on to Japan. He signed a one-year, $800,000 deal with the Jakarta Swallows.
Life in Japan hasn’t been great either. His arrival was delayed by the Japanese government’s restrictions on new foreign players in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Suarez’s performance was subpar. He only pitched in six games (21⅔ innings) and had a 6.23 ERA. He was eventually released by Yakult and sent back to the United States.
Suarez signed a minor league deal with St. Louis in January and was solid in Triple-A, going 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA in 28 games and 64 innings. As a result, he was recalled to the majors in July. But it wasn’t a happy ending. After 13 games and 27⅔ innings with no wins and a 7.16 ERA, he was released after the season.
Suarez has also played in Japan, so it’s not surprising that the country is taking notice.
As Full Count explains, “Suarez was repeatedly demoted to the minors and called up to the big leagues, but was ultimately shut down and only appeared in 13 games this year. He’s a free agent.” After explaining the situation, he added, “He’s still only 31 years old. It’s too early to retire. Where will Suarez, who is capable of starting and pitching out of the bullpen, play next season?” he asked.