Albert

Suarez

The MRI won’t take place until a few weeks, but the Orioles want to make sure that his subscapularis strain has healed before they begin his rehab program. The 35-year-old remains without a timetable for return, but should have one after the imaging takes place.

Suárez has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right subscapularis strain, which is the muscle in the rotator cuff area of the shoulder, and is going to miss multiple months. The procedural move frees up a spot on Baltimore’s 40-man roster for lefty Grant Wolfram.

Suarez showed diminished velocity in his season debut Friday against the Blue Jays and now he winds up on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Baltimore selected Matt Bowman’s contract to replace him in the Orioles’ bullpen.

The 35-year-old right-hander also issued three walks on the evening while striking out a pair. Josue Briceno got him for a solo homer in the second inning then Ryan Kreidler blasted a two-run shot as part of a five-run uprising in the fourth inning that put the game out of reach. Suárez has had a forgettable spring, posting a 7.89 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio over 21 2/3 innings in his six appearances (four starts).

Suárez moved another step closer to securing a rotation spot with Grayson Rodríguez absent for the Orioles. After a rough first two outings, he’s allowed four runs and posted a 12/2 K/BB in 12 2/3 innings over three starts this month.

Suárez was roughed up in his first two starts this spring, but the last two have gone quite a bit better, bringing his ERA down to 7.50. With Grayson Rodríguez down, the fifth spot in the Orioles rotation is expected to go to either Suárez or Cade Povich. Suárez probably has the edge after doing a nice job last year, and since he’s out of options, he’ll be on the team either way.

Suárez allowed three hits, walked two and struck out none in a shaky debut. Even though he was a solid starter in going 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA for Baltimore last year, he’s probably destined to begin this season in middle relief. At least he is pretty much assured a roster spot, since he’s out of options.

The runs came on homers from Carlos Santana and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. That the Orioles let Suárez go long today suggests that he’ll be left off the Wild Card roster, possibly in favor of Cade Povich. He could then come back and start Game 1 of the ALDS if the Orioles advance. Quite the find for Baltimore after returning from South Korea and taking a minor league deal, Suárez ends the regular season 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA.

Suarez gave up five hits in the start, which isn’t a terrible total. Three of those hits were homers, which is, in fact, not good. The right-hander gave up two of those bombs to Kerry Carpenter and another to Spencer Torkelson. In his last two starts Suarez has allowed eight runs over 8 1/3 innings, and it’s seen his ERA shoot up to 3.74. Baltimore is all-but-assuredly going to the postseason, but it seems likely Suarez won’t be a part of that rotation right now.

Suárez has seemed to alternate between good and bad starts over the last month or so. After dominating the Red Sox, he was hit early and often by the Giants. While he allowed only one extra-base hit, he posted a modest 24 percent whiff rate and 26 percent CSW while striking out three and walking two. The 34-year-old has been a great story this season, but the Orioles will likely hope not to have to rely on him in the postseason. He should be in for a better start this weekend against the Tigers.