The Arizona Diamondbacks faced injury setbacks during their game against the Chicago White Sox, as Josh Naylor exited in the fourth inning due to right shoulder discomfort. The team has classified Naylor as day-to-day following this injury during Monday night’s matchup. After fouling off a pitch in the second inning, Naylor appeared to experience pain in his right arm but stayed in the game until he eventually left in the fourth.

Naylor, originally from Mississauga, Ontario, has had an impressive debut season with the Diamondbacks. He is hitting .303 with a .358 on-base percentage and a .465 slugging percentage, including nine home runs and 49 RBIs. His .303 batting average ranks fifth in the National League, and he is fourth in total hits with 86.

Eugenio Suárez Exits Early After Being Hit by Pitch

Eugenio Suárez, the Diamondbacks’ third baseman, left the game much earlier than Naylor, departing in the first inning after being struck on the hand by a 95.9-m.p.h. fastball delivered by White Sox starter Shane Smith. The team reported that Suárez suffered a bruise, and X-rays came back negative for more serious injury.

After being hit, Suárez briefly took the batter‘s box but quickly raised his right hand in visible pain, dropping his bat and clutching his hand with the opposite one. He was substituted defensively by Ildemaro Vargas for the remainder of the inning. Earlier that day, Suárez had been recognized as the National League’s player of the week due to his strong performance, hitting .440 with four home runs and 10 RBIs.

Additional Injury Troubles for the Diamondbacks

The injury issues for the Diamondbacks extend beyond Naylor and Suárez. Outfielder Corbin Carroll has been sidelined since Wednesday after a sinker pitch hit his left hand during a game in Toronto. Additionally, catcher Gabriel Moreno is absent due to a hairline fracture in his right index finger caused by a wild pitch. These multiple injuries contribute to ongoing questions about the team’s lineup stability.

Impact and Next Steps for the Team

With key players like Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez sidelined or uncertain for upcoming games, the Diamondbacks face challenges maintaining their offensive and defensive consistency. Monitoring Naylor’s recovery will be crucial, given his significant contributions to the team’s offense this season. The health of these players will likely influence the Diamondbacks’ performance as they navigate the remainder of the National League schedule.