Reds’ Eugenio Suarez out with fractured thumb

Eugenio Suarez has become a key player for the Cincinnati Reds over the last couple years, and now he’s out with a fractured right thumb.

Coming off back-to-back 20-plus home run seasons as their third baseman, the Cincinnati Reds signed Eugenio Suarez to seven-year, $66 million contract extension in mid-March. He is off to a good start this year, hitting .296 with two home runs and seven RBI in eight games. But after being hit by a pitch Sunday, Suarez will miss some time with a fractured right thumb.

At one time, Suarez was seen as merely a placeholder for top prospect Nick Senzel at third base. But a 2017 season with a 3.7 WAR has made him part of the Reds’ future, and there’s not an easy way to replace Suarez.

Taking Suarez’s place on the major league roster looks to be Alex Blandino, who was pulled from a game in Triple-A on Sunday. He has started three games at third base this year, with 62 starts  there over the last two-plus seasons, but Blandino has played second base (131 starts) and shortstop (85 starts) more often during his minor league career.

MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon pointed to Cliff Pennington and Phil Gosselin as the likely replacements for Suarez at the hot corner. Pennington entered Sunday’s game in Suarez’s place, so he seems to be first in line for starts.

Besides Pennington, Gosselin, Blandino or maybe eventually Senzel once service time is not a factor, Scooter Gennett could be another third base option for the Reds. He played 10 games there last year, with eight starts, and if he moved over from second base Blandino could play his more natural position in his first taste of the big leagues.

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It’s a mix of utility infielder types and young prospects, with Gennett somewhere in between. But manager Bryan Price has some options to fill the lineup spot left open by Suarez’s absence, as much as it can be done.