Despite undergoing shoulder surgery to remove some loose cartilage in late January, Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez could potentially be ready to go by Opening Day, manager David Bell told reporters Thursday (Twitter link via Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer).
The injury was never expected to sideline Suarez for too much of the 2020 campaign; the Cincinnati organization announced at the time of the procedure that Suarez would be ready to play in games “near the beginning of the regular season.” That’s a relatively nebulous statement, but Bell suggests that recent tests/updates have encouraged the team.
Suarez’s injury status will be notable to follow for several reasons. Beyond the simple fact that he’s emerged as one of the National League’s better players and is on a club that enters the 2020 season more poised to contend that at any point in the past five years, Suarez’s status figures to have a ripple effect throughout the organization. Offseason signee Mike Moustakas was added with the idea that he’d move to second base on a full-time basis, but it’s conceivable that he could see action at third base early in the year should Suarez need some IL time. That could open the door for a non-roster player such as Derek Dietrich to again break camp with Cincinnati or for a younger player like Josh VanMeter to get some regular reps early in 2020.
The Reds surely want Suarez in the lineup as soon as possible, given that the 28-year-old broke out with a massive .271/.358/.572 slash and 49 home runs this past season. At the same time, the club also has to resist the temptation to rush him back into the fold, as a healthy Suarez figures to be a key anchor in a lineup that was bolstered by the offseason additions of Moustakas, Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama.
The 2019-20 offseason saw the Pirates take a step back, the Brewers scale back payroll (while still making numerous low-cost moves), the Cardinals make only minimal additions and the Cubs barely even try to improve at all. The Reds look to be the most improved club in the division, and the extent to which Suarez is able to contribute should be an important factor in their chances of returning to contention in 2020.
I have Suarez as a 6th round keeper in fantasy and I am not sure if after this injury he is still a good get in the 6th,
What says everyone?
3rd base is pretty deep and you gotta figure he’s due for regression so I would probably be ok not holding him if you have other options
Built on a solid season two years ago with a very strong last season. Position is deep but he holds some great fantasy stat categories and on paper has a better team around him. I am keeping him as well in my league. I think he holds strong again and touches close to 50 hr again. I don’t agree with the regression idea. Started slow last year where regression could have taken over but he got through the changes pitchers made on him so I can only expect that to occur again.
Nobody cares about your Fantasy picks/grading
Odd statement, I see at least two people already that do indeed care.
I care … so that’s 3
I keep 8 guys in a keeper league and 2 of them are Suarez and Clevinger ;(
Dietrich is absolutely terrible.
I hope Suarez is 100% when he comes back. Shoulder injuries can sap a player’s bat speed and power.
We need more of these type of comments on this site. And less of the he’s “absolutely terrible” type, without adding anything further.
Absolutely terrible comments are absolutely terrible
Traded for an innings eater with a lifetime 1.4 WHIP. Bummer.
Ya he has bloomed in Cincy, at least they have used him wisely, hope he gets back soon and he has another great year
He’s absolutely terrible, we’ll it’s terrible that Detroit traded him for Al Simon, geez what a bunch of idiots they are
Of course they would announce this even if not true. Boost early ticket sales.
Considering they have a prestigious opening day, made pretty damn good moves, I doubt Suarez missing opening day impacts ticket sales. So your theory is out the window.
Considering they have a prestigious opening day, made pretty damn good moves, I doubt Suarez missing opening day impacts ticket sales. So your theory is out the window.
Considering they have a prestigious opening day, made pretty damn good moves, I doubt Suarez missing opening day impacts ticket sales. So your theory is out the window.
So long as they only removed loose cartilage and did not repair anything, there’s no reason to think this will take more than 10-12 weeks max to recover from. I would think he’d be good to go by 4/15 at the latest. Best of luck to him! I’m pulling for the Reds to win the division this year; it will be a great story if they do.
They may say this, but from what I am reading from other sources Suarez will be eased into it. Senzel is fully recovered and is working at both CF and 2B. So Moose may start the season at 3B, Senzel at 2B and Shogo start in CF. DD needs to earn his way back with good play in AAA where he can prove his shoulder will not be a problem.
Senzel @ 2B? Have not seen that, source?.
This is why lifeguards are always yelling “No running” at the pool.
Central division is rather weak. Reds should run away.
Would expect the team to not rush Geno into the lineup – they need him much more for the season, than they do or opening day, or even the opening series.