Eugenio Suarez exited the Cincinnati Reds' 9-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday after a 92.4 mph fastball from Mitch Keller struck his left hand. The veteran third baseman was forced to leave in the sixth inning, and X-rays proved inconclusive due to significant swelling. Nathaniel Lowe replaced him defensively in the eighth. Manager Terry Francona confirmed Suarez will undergo a CT scan Monday in Milwaukee to determine the extent of the injury.

Suarez described the immediate pain and rapid swelling, though he noted feeling better than when initially hit. The 34-year-old is in his 13th major league season, currently batting .208 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs. He earned his second All-Star selection last year and delivered a clutch performance Saturday, crushing a three-run homer in the ninth to power Cincinnati to a 9-7 victory.

The Reds face uncertainty about their lineup as they open a four-game series against the Brewers. Suarez's absence would create a significant void in Cincinnati's offense, especially given his recent heroics and veteran presence in the middle of the order. His health will be critical for a team needing consistent production from its bats.

Francona emphasized the importance of Monday's imaging results, noting trainers hoped the swelling stemmed from a blood vessel impact rather than structural damage. The manager's cautious approach reflects how vital Suarez remains to Cincinnati's playoff aspirations despite his modest .208 average.