Eugenio Suárez, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ third baseman, avoided a serious injury after being hit by a pitch on his right index finger Monday night in Detroit. Initial x-rays showed no fractures, and further testing, including a CT scan and MRI, confirmed there were no breaks, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.
Following the incident, Suárez left the game early due to visible pain but is now expected to rejoin the Diamondbacks’ lineup on Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday, as reported by Bob Nightengale.
Past Injury Scares and Current Impact on the Diamondbacks
This is not the first time Suárez has dealt with injury scares from pitches. He previously sustained contusions twice while facing White Sox pitcher Shane Smith, including during the All-Star Game, yet he avoided long-term damage both times.
Suárez’s health is vital for the Diamondbacks, as losing their All-Star player could heavily affect the team’s offensive production despite his recent performance slump. He remains a key figure in Arizona’s plans, contributing a solid .248 batting average with 36 home runs and 87 RBIs even though he has gone just 2-for-21 over his last six games.
Trade Speculation Surrounding Suárez Amid Injury Concerns
Suárez is at the center of considerable trade speculation heading into the MLB Trade Deadline, with at least a dozen teams expressing interest. However, talks have cooled as Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen appears to be setting a high asking price for Suárez, reportedly demanding multiple top 100 prospects. This has led teams like the Yankees to shift focus to Ryan McMahon, and the Mariners also seem to be losing enthusiasm.
Despite the trade rumors, Suárez has expressed a strong desire to remain in Arizona, though frustration has shown during his recent struggles at the plate. His situation is further complicated by the possibility that the Diamondbacks may choose to keep him beyond this season, with Hazen potentially offering a Qualifying Offer during the offseason rather than trading him now.
I’m not making trades to save money,
Hazen said in a recent press conference.
Just making trades and not having somebody on our team for the second half when I expect us to play good baseball in the second half, that’s going to matter, too… I’m not just going to trade somebody to just trade them to another team.
—Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager
Outlook for Suárez and the Diamondbacks Moving Forward
The positive injury update provides a temporary relief for the Diamondbacks amid growing uncertainty surrounding Suárez’s future. As a focal point of both on-field performance and trade discussions, his ability to return quickly could help stabilize the team during this critical stretch of the season. How Arizona proceeds with Suárez—whether retaining him as a core player or exploring a late trade—remains to be seen, but his recovery ensures he will be available to contribute in the immediate term.