Jose Suarez claimed by Mariners, Joel Payamps outrighted to Gwinnett

TL;DR

Jose Suarez has been claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners, while Joel Payamps has been outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett by the Atlanta Braves. Both pitchers were designated for assignment on May 1.

Key points

Jose Suarez claimed off waivers by Seattle Mariners
Joel Payamps outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett
Both pitchers were designated for assignment on May 1
Suarez had a 3-inning save and struck out 21 in 16.1 innings
Payamps allowed 7 earned runs in 7.2 innings pitched

Atlanta BravesSeattle MarinersMilwaukee Brewers

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 10: José Suarez #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the eighth inning during the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images 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 last year. He pitched in two games after joining the Braves in September last season.

Q&A

Why was Jose Suarez claimed by the Seattle Mariners?

Jose Suarez was claimed by the Seattle Mariners after being designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves, aiming to utilize him as a swingman.

What are Joel Payamps' recent performance statistics with the Braves?

Joel Payamps pitched in 12 games for the Braves in 2026, allowing seven earned runs in 7.2 innings, with nine strikeouts and four walks.

What led to the designation of Jose Suarez and Joel Payamps by the Braves?

Both pitchers were designated for assignment by the Braves on May 1 due to their underwhelming performances, with Suarez struggling despite better underlying metrics.