Cincinnati Reds Make Roster Decision After Eugenio Suarez’s Injury

Unfortunate news for the veteran hitter, Suarez will not have the opportunity to get back into rhythm for Saturday’s game. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a mild left oblique strain after feeling discomfort during batting practice and on a subsequent swing before Friday’s game. The team is hoping to reimage the area in five to six days. It’s a tough loss for the Reds, even with his rough start to the season.

In a corresponding move, outfielder JJ Bleday is being called up from the minor leagues. He has been impressive there, posting a .341 batting average, .462 on-base percentage, and 1.121 OPS, along with six home runs and 19 runs batted in across 24 games. He has showcased his high-end walk rates, strong defensive instincts in the corner outfield spots, and a plus throwing arm.

Suarez has developed into a premier hitter in the major leagues. He signed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 2008 and debuted in 2014. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where he emerged as a power threat from 2015 to 2021, playing third base, earning an All-Star nod in 2018, and hitting a career-high 49 home runs in 2019.

He was traded to the Seattle Mariners in March 2022 and provided consistent power before being dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who acquired him in November 2023. Suarez earned another National League All-Star selection in 2025 and hit his 300th career home run in June of that season. He later had a brief return to Seattle in 2025 following a midseason trade.

In February 2026, Suarez signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds. He is known for exceptional raw power, a strong throwing arm, durability, and adjustments at the plate.