Eugenio Suárez returned to the Cincinnati Reds lineup Friday after a 10‑day stint on the injured list. The designated hitter, who signed a one‑year, $15 million deal in February, had been sidelined since April 25 with a mild left oblique strain. Manager Terry Francona said the club will ease him back in to avoid overtaxing the player for the upcoming series.

Suárez’s return comes after a modest start; in 25 games he hit .231 with three homers and 11 RBI. His absence left the offense flat, with cleanup hitter Sal Stewart slumping to .151 and a single home run over an 18‑game stretch. Cincinnati’s 20‑11 opening record slipped, underscoring the need for a veteran presence to restore offensive balance and power.

The Reds also lost third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to a lumbar bulging disk, placing him on the 10‑day IL retroactive to May 21. Hayes has hit .142 with two homers and five RBI in 44 games. A rain‑delayed opener against the St. Louis Cardinals will be rescheduled for Saturday, forming a split doubleheader to maintain team morale and competitive edge through the season.

With Suárez back and Hayes on the beat, the Reds aim to stabilize a line that faltered after a 20‑11 start. Francona’s strategy of gradual reintroduction should preserve the veteran’s health while re‑energizing the lineup. The team’s next test will be a doubleheader against the Cardinals, where performance will cement their playoff hopes and solidify their season identity moving forward.