Reds' Eugenio Suarez Has Surgery on Shoulder Injury Suffered in Swimming Pool

The Cincinnati Reds announced third baseman Eugenio Suarez underwent surgery Tuesday to remove loose cartilage in his right shoulder.

Suarez, 28, suffered the injury in a swimming pool. The team expects him to return to action around the start of the season.

The news of Suarez's injury came amid an offseason full of positives for the Reds.

In addition to adding second baseman Mike Moustakas along with pitchers Nate Jones and Wade Miley, Cincinnati made another major splash Monday by inking right fielder Nick Castellanos to a four-year, $64 million deal.

The Reds clearly have aspirations of not just making the postseason but also advancing. Suarez was expected to play a big role. The 2018 All-Star was electric last season, slashing .271/.358/.572 with 49 home runs and 103 RBI. The flip side is he led the majors in strikeouts with 189.

In his absence, Cincinnati may look to move Moustakas to third base, where he's spent the bulk of his career. He hadn't played second until he did so in 47 games with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019. The injury to Suarez may also silence trade talks surrounding Nick Senzel, a 24-year-old entering his second MLB season who played center field last year but who also played mostly third and some second in the minors.

The most important thing for the Reds will be to make sure Suarez is healthy as soon as possible. The National League Central is loaded with talent once again this season. The Brewers, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are all capable of capturing the division this year.

Considering three of the Reds' first four series are against NL Central teams, starting strong could make all the difference this season.