Braves signed RHP Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract.

Suarez will make $13 million next season and $16 million each of the following two years, with none of the money being deferred. That means the Braves have committed $47.5 million in 2026 payroll to four relievers in Suarez, Raisel Iglesias ($16 million), Aaron Bummer ($9.5 million) and Joe Jiménez ($9 million). They’re also considering using Reynaldo López ($14 million) as a reliever, though the Suarez addition definitely would seem to give them more incentive to leave him in the rotation. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal said the Braves intend to keep Iglesias in the closer’s role, meaning Suarez will likely pitch the eighth for a year before perhaps resuming closing in 2027. As a result, Suarez, who led the National League with 40 saves for the Padres last season, probably shouldn’t be looked at as a top-25 RP in fantasy leagues heading into next spring.