Eugenio Suárez, the celebrated third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, experienced an unsettling moment in Monday’s contest against the Detroit Tigers when he was struck on the hand by a thrown pitch, but it appears he avoided any major physical setback.
Following the game’s conclusion, Suárez informed members of the press that the X-ray examination conducted on his left index finger yielded reassuringly negative results.
A substantial injury could have dramatically altered the landscape of the MLB trade market leading up to the trade deadline on Thursday. Suárez is considered the most desirable player anticipated to be on the market, according to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports.
During the ninth inning on Monday, Suárez was struck on the left hand by a 96 mph fastball delivered by Detroit Tigers closer Will Vest. The impact of the pitch caused Suárez’s helmet to dislodge. Visibly affected, Suárez briefly knelt and clutched his hand before ultimately exiting the game, with Blaze Alexander stepping in as his replacement.
When Suárez left the game, the Tigers were ahead with a score of 5-1. Vest successfully recorded the subsequent two outs, and Detroit ultimately secured victory with the same score.
Suárez, aged 34, earned a spot in his second career All-Star Game this summer, amidst what has been a standout season at the plate. As of Monday, his batting statistics reflected a .247 batting average, a .319 on-base percentage, and a .579 slugging percentage, accompanied by 36 home runs and 87 runs batted in (RBI).
His current home run count already stands as the second-highest of his career, only surpassed by his 49 home runs in 2019. He is currently tied with Philadelphia Phillies power hitter Kyle Schwarber for fourth place in the MLB home run rankings. Suárez’s 87 RBI represent the highest number in all of baseball.
The Diamondbacks brought Suárez on board through a trade with the Seattle Mariners following the 2023 season, a year in which they successfully reached the World Series. Arizona achieved a winning record of 89-73 in 2024, but their efforts were not enough to secure a playoff berth with Suárez.
The Diamondbacks’ hopes for contention have diminished as the current season has progressed. Their record fell to 51-56 with Monday’s defeat, and they are expected to become sellers as the trade deadline draws closer. Suárez is anticipated to attract substantial interest from teams vying for contention, seeking to bolster their lineups with a powerful hitter.
Assuming that imaging does not reveal any additional injuries resulting from Monday’s hit-by-pitch incident, he will undoubtedly remain a highly sought-after asset.
