Padres closer Robert Suarez struggles with command in first appearance of the Spring

It took until the tenth game of the Padres spring training campaign for All-Star closer Robert Suarez to make his first appearance, and what a disappointing first look at the pitcher it was. Coming in at the top of the third inning against the Kansas City Royals, Suarez would only record one out, while giving up four earned runs.

Suarez would enter the game in the top of the third in a relief role to starter Randy Vasquez, who had his own issues giving up six runs (two earned) on seven hits in two innings of work. Right away, Suarez looked uncomfortable, allowing four consecutive base runners showing little command of his pitches. A walk to Cavan Biggio to start off the second, followed by two straight singles and another walk to bring in a run would extend the Royals lead to 7-2 in just the third inning. Another walk later in the inning would bring in another run, and would end Suarez's outing.

The main concern in Suarez's first appearance was the almost nonexistent fastball control that he displayed. Primarily a one-pitch pitcher, Suarez's success banks on his ability to place his high 90's fastball in different parts of the zone. His first walk to Biggio would see the fastball miss high and inside, while the one changeup he threw in the at-bat was way below the zone. The third walk that would force his departure was even worse—a six pitch at-bat with multiple pitches missing the zone by a large margin, all while bringing in another run.

Looking to expand his arsenal for the 2025 season, Suarez used his changeup and sinker at a higher rate than usual in this outing, but both would allow hits. The changeup in particular looked rough, with John Rave barely missing a hanging, middle-of-the-zone offering that Suarez delivered to start off the at-bat. He would also struggle to find the zone with his sinker, and when he did, it was placed middle of the zone for Cam Devanney to rope a hard hit single to left.

The outing was by far one of the worst performances Suarez has put up in a Padres uniform, but San Diego's closer still deserves some leeway. Having not pitched in a competitive game against real opponents since October, Suarez was obviously shaking off some rust. How he performs in his next appearance however, will be the real sign of where he is at.