Eugenio Suárez was hit by a pitch on his left hand during the Reds' 9-4 loss to the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Elly De La Cruz also left the game with an ankle issue after turning his left foot awkwardly. Both players are set for further evaluation ahead of Cincinnati's series against the Brewers.
Suárez was struck by a first-pitch fastball from Pirates starter Mitch Keller with two outs in the sixth inning. He grimaced in pain, developed a sizable lump on his hand, and remained in the game briefly before Nathaniel Lowe pinch-hit for him in the eighth. X-rays were inconclusive due to swelling, and Suárez is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on Monday in Milwaukee.
"Right now, it’s very swollen, so the X-ray doesn’t say anything," Suárez said after the game. Manager Terry Francona noted the trainer hoped it may have hit a blood vessel and said they would get more information the next day. Suárez had delivered a game-winning three-run homer the previous night.
De La Cruz appeared to sprain his left ankle on a swing in the fifth inning. He went to the ground but was cleared to continue after being checked by the trainer and finished the game despite a 65-minute rain delay. Francona said the ankle stiffened up but added that he would have removed De La Cruz if needed.
The loss prevented the Reds from sweeping the three-game series. Cincinnati is now 39-43 and has lost 18 of its last 21 series against the Brewers.