Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suárez is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on Monday to assess his left hand after suffering an injury during Sunday’s 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 34-year-old was forced to exit the game after being struck by a 92.4 mph fastball from Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller in the sixth inning.
Initial X-rays performed on Sunday were inconclusive due to significant swelling in the hand, according to Reds manager Terry Francona. Suárez, who is in his 13th major league season, traveled with the team to Milwaukee for a four-game series against the Brewers, where further diagnostic testing is planned to determine the extent of the damage.
Injury Context and Immediate Medical Outlook
The incident occurred with two outs in the sixth inning, immediately drawing concern from the Cincinnati coaching staff. Francona, who checked on the designated hitter following the hit-by-pitch, noted that the area became tender almost immediately. “It swelled up really rapidly,” Francona said. “The trainers’ hope was that maybe it hit a blood vessel. … He’s very tender. So, we’ll get more information tomorrow.”
Suárez expressed cautious optimism regarding the injury while acknowledging the severity of the initial impact. “Right now, it’s very swollen. So, the X-ray doesn’t say anything because it’s too swollen,” Suárez stated. “We’ll see what is in there. Right now, obviously, I feel a lot better than when I got hit. I thought he hit me really good. Was painful, but right now, I feel a lot better. So, I pray to God for nothing to come up.” Following the injury, Nathaniel Lowe replaced Suárez during his next scheduled at-bat in the eighth inning.
Performance and Team Impact
The potential loss of Suárez would be a significant blow to the Reds’ lineup. The veteran hitter has maintained a role as a key contributor throughout the current campaign, batting .208 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs. His importance to the team’s offensive production was underscored just one day prior to his injury, when he hit a three-run, 344-foot home run off Pirates reliever Gregory Soto in the ninth inning to secure a 9-7 victory for Cincinnati.
Suárez, a two-time All-Star who earned the honor most recently last season, remains one of the more experienced players on the Cincinnati roster. As the team prepares for its upcoming series in Milwaukee, the focus remains on the results of the pending CT scan, which will provide a clearer picture of his availability for the remainder of the road trip.
For official updates regarding the roster status and medical reports for the Cincinnati Reds, fans can monitor the MLB news hub. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.