Eugenio Suarez left Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after being struck on the left hand by a 92.4 mph fastball. The Reds lost 9-4. X-rays after the game were inconclusive, and Suarez is scheduled for a CT scan on Monday in Milwaukee, where Cincinnati opens a four-game series against the Brewers.
According to the Associated Press, the pitch came from Pirates starter Mitch Keller with two outs in the sixth inning. Suarez was checked by manager Terry Francona before slowly walking to first base. He did not return after that, with Nathaniel Lowe taking his spot in the eighth inning.
"Right now, it's very swollen. So, the X-ray doesn't say anything because it's too swollen," Suarez said. "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."
Francona described the swelling as fast and significant. "It swelled up really rapidly," he said. "The trainers' hope was that maybe it hit a blood vessel. ... He's very tender. So, we'll get more information tomorrow."
The injury adds uncertainty to a Reds lineup that has leaned on Suarez for production throughout the season. In his 13th major league season, the 34-year-old is batting .208 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs. He was named an All-Star for the second time last season.
Just one day before the injury, Suarez had delivered one of the biggest moments of Cincinnati's season. With the Reds trailing by one run and two outs in the ninth inning on Saturday, he drove a 2-2 sinker from Gregory Soto 344 feet to right field for a three-run homer, lifting Cincinnati to a 9-7 win. Sunday's loss dropped the Reds to 9-4 in that game and ended a brief stretch of momentum.
The CT scan results on Monday will determine whether Suarez can continue playing or faces time on the injured list. Cincinnati opens in Milwaukee on Monday, and his availability for that series remains uncertain until the scan provides clearer information.
