D-backs fall to Tigers 5-1 on July 29, 2025, but the real loss is Eugenio Suárez, who left with a hand injury. How will this impact their trade plans?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night that went from bad to worse for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A sloppy 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers was already a tough pill to swallow, extending the team's losing streak to three games. But the final score became an afterthought in the ninth inning when a collective gasp went through the dugout. Eugenio Suárez, the team's undisputed power leader and hottest trade chip, was struck on the right hand by a pitch, leaving the game and putting the D-backs' entire trade deadline strategy in jeopardy.
With 36 home runs and the trade deadline looming, Eugenio Suárez's exit from Monday's game could be the single most impactful moment of the Diamondbacks' season.
On the field, it was a frustrating affair from the start. Tigers rookie Troy Melton was masterful, shutting down the Arizona offense for seven scoreless innings. The D-backs' bats were silent until the eighth, when a solo home run from a returning Alek Thomas finally put them on the board. It was far too little, too late. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez battled but ultimately took the loss, allowing five runs over six frames, not helped by some shaky defense behind him. A first-inning throwing error by Thomas allowed an early run to score, setting a tone the team could never quite shake as they fell to 51-56 on the season.
The real story, however, is the health of Eugenio Suárez. After being hit by a pitch in the top of the ninth, the third baseman immediately left the game. With 36 home runs, he's not just the heart of the lineup; he's one of the most talked-about names on the trade market. For a team sitting fourth in the NL West, trading Suárez to a contender for a haul of prospects felt like an inevitable, and logical, next step. Now, everything is up in the air. A significant injury could sideline him for weeks, cratering his trade value and forcing the front office to rethink its entire approach to the deadline. The team provided no immediate update, leaving fans and the front office to anxiously await the results of his X-rays.
Amid the gloom, Alek Thomas's return from the bereavement list provided a small spark. His solo shot was the lone offensive highlight. Elsewhere on the injury front, there's some positive movement: Pavin Smith has started hitting off a tee and Ryan Thompson is throwing again. Unfortunately, the long-term list remains grim, with Tommy Henry and Justin Martinez officially out for the season. The team also made several roster moves, optioning Juan Morillo, placing Jalen Beeks on the IL, and sending Trevor Richards outright to Reno. Down on the farm, top pitching prospect Slade Cecconi is scheduled to make a start for Triple-A Reno, a welcome sign of progress for the future.
The Diamondbacks leave Detroit with more than just another loss. They leave with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over their best player and their deadline plans. As they head into their next series, the focus will be twofold: snapping this losing streak and desperately hoping for good news on Eugenio Suárez's hand. The next 48 hours could define the rest of the 2025 season.
