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Suarez was slotted fifth in the batting order in the two games since he returned from the World Baseball Classic, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Since Suarez was signed by Cincinnati at the beginning of February, the general consensus was that he'd bat fourth, and that's where he was in four of his first five Cactus League games before departing for the WBC. Reds manager Terry Francona explained the batting-order experiment, indicating the reconfigured lineup (with Sal Stewart batting cleanup) might generate more RBI opportunities for Suarez. However it shakes out, Suarez will be a middle-of-the-order bat for the Reds in 2026.
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Reds' Eugenio Suarez: Back in camp
Rotowire
Suarez went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's spring game against the Cubs.
A triumphant Suarez returned to Cactus League action following his starring role for Team Venezuela in its victory in the World Baseball Classic final over Team USA. On Friday, he served as Reds' designated hitter, which will be his everyday role in 2026 with occasional starts at corner infield.
Suarez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals.
Suarez's homer immediately followed one hit by Elly De La Cruz in the fifth inning. The two hits were the first in three Cactus League outings for Suarez, who is 2-for-9 thus far. He's served twice at third base and once at DH. In preparation for his upcoming role for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Suarez is expected to get a few more starts at the hot corner over the next week, but he will toggle between DH and first base during the regular season while Ke'Bryan Hayes operates as the everyday third baseman.
Suarez is taking reps at first base to start each day of spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reports. "I'm a guy who likes work," Suarez said. "I want to be better at first base. I know they're going to need me there."
Suarez is still likely to get most of his starts as the Reds' designated hitter, with Ke'Bryan Hayes starting at third base and either Sal Stewart or Spencer Steer playing first base, but every bit of flexibility helps. Suarez played the first three games at first base of his major league career last season.
Reds' Eugenio Suarez: Inks one-year deal with Cincinnati
Rotowire
Suarez and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract Sunday that includes a $16 million mutual option for the 2027 season, pending a physical, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Suarez will reunite with the Reds, whom he spent seven seasons with from 2015 to 2021 before being traded to the Mariners in March of 2022. Passan relays that Suarez will likely see most of his at-bats as the Reds' designated hitter but should also get some reps at the corners. Suarez ended the 2025 season with the Mariners after being traded by the Diamondbacks in July. His .896 OPS with Arizona dipped noticeably to .683 with Seattle, and he ended the 2025 regular season having posted a .228/.298/.526 slash line with four steals, 91 runs, 49 home runs and 118 RBI over 657 plate appearances.
