Finger injury adds to rough week for Diamondbacks' slugger Eugenio Suarez

Yahoo

01-08-2025

DETROIT — If Eugenio Suarez did not have enough to deal with this past week, with all of the emotions of possibly playing at Chase Field for the last time, then answering many questions about possibly being traded before the deadline and the uncertainty that comes with it, then struggling at the plate lately amid all of the noise about him.
The last thing the Diamondbacks' All-Star slugger needed was another injury.
Which is exactly what happened to Suarez on Monday, July 28, at Comerica Park, where his major league career began 11 years ago.
Suarez was hit in the right index finger by a pitch in the top of the ninth inning of a game the Diamondbacks lost 5-1 to the Tigers. It's at least the fourth time Suarez has been hit by a pitch on his hands this season, and the 15th time in all.
Suarez was in obvious pain and left the game immediately. Afterward, he had X-rays taken and told reporters those results were negative, and that he would undergo more tests on July 29.
"Right now, I will do my best to try and be back soon," Suarez said. "I thought something was broken, but thank God it isn't right now."
Diamondbacks fans, of course, have heard that from players before. Corbin Carroll and Gabriel Moreno have also been hit on the hands with balls, and both tried to play through the pain but ultimately went on the injured list.
Suarez was holding his finger gingerly as he spoke.
"Something out of my control. I just try to be on the field, not hurting nobody," Suarez said, vowing that he'll be back soon.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn't think Vest had any intent to hit Suarez. But that didn't keep some in the dugout from being angry at him after the game.
"It's part of the game. I don't think Vest is trying to hit anybody there," Lovullo said. "You see your athlete get hit, and his reaction is not great. He's very tough. He never, ever winces. And when he does, there's something that is clearly wrong."
As for the game, the Diamondbacks avoided being shut out for the third consecutive game thanks to Alek Thomas' eighth-inning solo home run, but they have lost six of their last seven and three in a row. They now sit five games under .500 at 51-56, the first time they've been five games below .500 all season.
Detroit, the American League Central leader, jumped out to an early lead against Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez, pitching against his former club. Rodriguez (3-7) gutted out six innings of work but was charged with five runs on eight hits.
The Diamondbacks' struggles to score runs continued. They were shut out in the past two games in Pittsburgh and have scored only two runs total over their last four games.
In their last four games, Arizona batters are hitting .164 (21-for-129) with one home run, seven walks, 38 strikeouts and an OPS of .419. The Thomas home run was the first run for the Diamondbacks since the 11th inning on July 25 at Pittsburgh.
Tigers pitcher Troy Melton, in just his second big-league start, shut out the Diamondbacks on five hits over seven innings after giving up six earned runs in five innings in his debut.
Ketel Marte had two of Arizona's six hits in the game.
Suarez draws media attention from link to Tigers
Suarez still believes in the Diamondbacks and maintains that he would like to remain with them through the MLB trade deadline, Suarez said on July 28, prior to the Diamondbacks' series opener against the Tigers at Comerica Park.
One thing he isn't ready for is to be traded to the Tigers during the current series and have to face his old team, the Diamondbacks, right away. The trade deadline is July 31.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported via X that the Tigers are one of the "strong suitors" for Suarez and would love to get a trade done with the Diamondbacks before Arizona leaves town. The Diamondbacks play July 28 through July 30 in Detroit.
"I don't want to face my old team right now. Not right now," Suarez said, citing the time former Reds teammate Devin Mesoraco was traded to the Mets before the two teams played each other in 2018.
Going to the Tigers would represent something of a homecoming for Suarez, who made his major league debut with Detroit in 2014. He only spent that season with the Tigers, but won the AL Central with them that year, on a team that featured Miguel Cabrera, Torii Hunter, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez.
"Everything started here in Detroit," Suarez said.
Suarez feels like he's handled the ongoing trade speculation well, as many observers have said he is the most sought-after player in trade talks. "My mind is fine. I've been praying a lot for calm and staying focused on my job," Suarez said.
He couldn't even finish the sentence without teammate Geraldo Perdomo interrupting. "More interviews? He's not going anywhere," Perdomo shouted. "I'm telling you guys, he's not going anywhere."
Suarez has been traded three times in his career, but never in the middle of a season.
Lovullo said it's impossible to block out the feelings and emotions of possibly being traded soon.
"We're human beings with feelings and emotions, we see things, we read things," Lovullo said of Suarez. "I hope that it's not, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's weighing him down a little bit."
Lovullo said Suarez has done nothing but his job for the Diamondbacks, and called him "an incredible human being" who will be fine no matter what happens.
Injury updates
LHP Jalen Beeks is set for a bullpen session at Triple-A Reno on July 29, and RHP Shelby Miller threw a 22-pitch live session on July 28 and felt good, Lovullo said. His back responded well and threw up to 94-95 mph.
Coming up
July 29: At Detroit, 3:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (10-6, 4.76) vs. Tigers RHP Casey Mize (9-4, 3.40)
July 30: At Detroit, 10:10 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (6-2, 3.29) vs. Tigers RHP Chris Paddack 3-9, 4.95).
July 31: Off.
Aug. 1: At Sacramento, 7:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (9-6, 3.22) vs. Athletics LHP Jacob Lopez (3-6, 4.29).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DBacks' Eugenio Suarez hit by pitch again, says X-rays negative