Eugenio Suárez injury could finally trigger a call-up Reds fans are begging for

Unfortunately, Eugenio Suárez is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks with an oblique injury. According to Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona, Geno felt something in his side during batting practice and the MRI revealed a low-grade oblique strain.

The Reds scratched Suárez from the starting lineup on Friday, but have yet to place him on the injured list. That move is expected to come ahead of Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers, and the corresponding move should be a no-brainer. Reds fans are expecting the team to recall JJ Bleday back to the big leagues.

Reds outfielder JJ Bleday is likely replacement for Eugenio Suárez

Bleday was signed to a one-year contract during the offseason, and after a strong showing during spring training, nearly landed a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster. Since being optioned to Triple-A at the beginning of the season, he's done nothing but rake. In 23 games for the Louisville Bats, he's hit .345/.461/.667 with six home runs, 19 RBI, and a 196 wRC+.

The Reds have other options — Noelvi Marte, Blake Dunn, and Edwin Arroyo — but no one has been as hot as Bleday. Nathaniel Lowe replaced Suárez in the starting lineup on Friday night and came up huge with two home runs, including the walk-off winner. Fans should expect Lowe to take over DH duties in Geno's absence, but others can be rotated through that spot in the lineup as well.

Bleday is a left-handed swinger, which is perhaps the only negative that comes with him replacing the right-handed hitting Suárez on the roster. Geno had been giving Ke'Bryan Hayes a break from third base on occasion, but both Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer can slide over the hot corner for a game or two if needed.

Suárez was off to a slow start, and though he didn't report feeling anything until Friday, perhaps this injury was part of the reason why. The slugger had seen a dip in bat speed from 2025 (72.3 mph) to 2026 (70.8 mph), and his hard-hit rate was hovering near the bottom of the league. Francona's stated hope is to begin to get Suárez built back up sometime next week if his symptoms diminish in the coming days.

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