Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez left Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after being hit on the hand by a pitch, but he appeared to escape serious injury.
After the game, Suárez told reporters that X-rays on his left index finger were negative.
A significant injury had the potential to reshape the top of the MLB trade market ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. Suárez is the top-rated player expected to be available, per Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey.
In the top of the ninth inning Monday, Suárez was hit on the left hand by a 96 mph fastball thrown by Tigers closer Will Vest, with the force causing his helmet to fly off. Suárez knelt down and grabbed his hand before eventually leaving the game. Blaze Alexander ran in his place.
The Tigers had a 5-1 lead when Suárez left the game. Vest notched the next two outs, and Detroit won by the same score.
Suárez, 34, was named to his second career All-Star Game this summer amid a career season at the plate. Through Monday, he was slashing .247/.319/.579 with 36 home runs and 87 RBI.
His home run tally is already the second-highest of his career (49 in 2019) and ties him with Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for fourth in the MLB home run race. Suárez’s 87 RBI are the most in baseball.
The Diamondbacks acquired Suárez in a trade with the Seattle Mariners after the 2023 season in which they advanced to the World Series. Arizona posted a winning record (89-73) in 2024 but failed to make the playoffs with Suárez.
The Diamondbacks have fallen further out of contention this season. They dropped to 51-56 with Monday’s loss and are projected to be sellers as the trade deadline approaches. Suárez is likely to garner high interest from contenders seeking to add a power bat to their lineup.
As long as imaging doesn’t reveal another injury from Monday’s hit-by-pitch, he surely still will.
