Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez received crucial good news on July 29, 2025, when CT scans and MRI results came back negative after being struck by a 95.6 mph pitch during Monday’s game against Detroit. The injury scare to baseball’s most coveted trade deadline target has sent shockwaves through front offices nationwide, potentially altering the entire landscape of the 2025 MLB trade deadline in the process.
The Injury That Nearly Changed Everything
Suárez is out of the lineup Tuesday after he was hit by a 95.6 mph pitch during Monday night’s game, creating immediate panic among potential trade suitors. Some good news: @Dbacks 3B Eugenio Suarez said he had a CT scan and MRI today and both were negative. No breaks, providing relief to both Arizona and the numerous teams pursuing his services.
This near-miss highlights the fragility of trade deadline planning. Eugenio Suarez may have to show that he’s healthy in the next two days, as teams won’t commit significant prospect capital without certainty about his physical condition. The timing couldn’t be worse, with just days remaining before the August 1 deadline.
Eugenio Suárez (hand) said he received negative X-rays.
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) July 29, 2025
Why Suarez Matters More Than Any Other Trade Target
There is no bat more coveted at this year’s trade deadline than Eugenio Suarez, and the numbers support this designation. He’s been one of the hottest hitters on the planet for over a year now. Dating back to July 7th of last year, he has hit 60 home runs, establishing him as perhaps the most productive power hitter available.
This production level explains why teams are willing to part with premium prospects for Suarez. His combination of positional flexibility, proven track record, and current hot streak makes him the rare deadline acquisition who could single-handedly transform a playoff race.
Strategic Impact on Contending Teams
The injury scare reveals how dependent multiple championship contenders have become on acquiring Suarez. The Tigers have the fifth-worst wRC+ (79) at third base in 2025, so Suárez makes sense as a target, but they’re hardly alone in their desperation for offensive upgrade.
Teams like the Cubs, Phillies, and Astros have all been heavily linked to Suarez, with each organization viewing him as the missing piece for their championship puzzle. The temporary uncertainty about his health forced these teams to consider backup options, demonstrating how central Suarez has become to multiple organizations’ deadline strategies.
Market Dynamics and Leverage Shifts
Jeff Passan says early results are encouraging and Eugenio Suarez is still likely to be traded by the Diamondbacks, but the injury scare has subtly shifted negotiating dynamics. Arizona may need to accept slightly less return if medical concerns linger, while bidding teams gain marginal leverage in negotiations.
However, Suarez’s track record suggests he’ll recover quickly. His durability over recent seasons and the negative imaging results indicate this setback won’t derail potential trades, merely delay final decisions by 24-48 hours.
Long-term Implications Beyond 2025
The injury incident underscores broader questions about deadline timing and player safety. Hit-by-pitch incidents have increased league-wide, raising concerns about pitcher control and batter protection during high-stakes situations.
For Suarez personally, avoiding serious injury preserves what could be his final opportunity to join a true championship contender. At 33, this trade deadline represents his best chance to escape Arizona’s rebuild and compete for a World Series ring.
Prediction: The Suarez Sweepstakes Conclusion
Despite the injury scare, expect Suarez to be traded before the deadline. His combination of immediate impact potential and proven durability makes him too valuable for contending teams to pass up. The brief health concern may actually benefit his eventual destination by reducing competition and lowering the prospect cost.
The team that ultimately acquires Suarez will gain more than a productive hitter—they’ll land the psychological boost that comes with landing the deadline’s most coveted player, a factor that could prove decisive in October’s championship chase.