The Cincinnati Reds are facing a welcome dilemma as veteran infielder/designated hitter Eugenio Suárez nears his return from the injured list—but the question on everyone's mind is: what happens to the man who's been filling his shoes?
After a rough stretch that saw the Reds drop three straight walk-off losses to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Cincinnati has fallen to last place in the NL Central. The team, which once led the division for 22 days, now finds itself five games back of the Cubs (25-12) after being outscored by a staggering 22 runs in their first six games of May.
Enter Nathaniel Lowe. Signed to a minor-league deal with a spring training invite last winter, the 30-year-old first baseman/designated hitter has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim month. Lowe earned his opportunity when Suárez went down with an oblique injury, and he's made the most of it, connecting on a walk-off homer against the Detroit Tigers on April 24 and going 2-for-4 with a solo shot in Tuesday's narrow 3-2 loss to the Cubs.
Through his first 52 at-bats this season, Lowe is hitting .288 with nine extra-base hits, 12 RBIs, and seven walks—solid production for a player on a "prove-it" one-year, $1.75 million deal. But with Suárez scheduled for an MRI after the Reds return from Chicago, the clock is ticking on Lowe's time in Cincinnati.
Suárez, who has been taking pre-game grounders and batting practice, could return in the next few weeks following a minor-league rehab assignment. When he does, the Reds will have a logjam at DH and first base—a luxury that could also be a trade opportunity.
With rookie phenoms like Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz emerging as the team's offensive core, the Reds might look to move Lowe while his stock is high. As an eight-year veteran and pending free agent, he's an affordable, attractive trade piece for contenders needing a bat. Cincinnati could secure a mid-tier prospect in return, turning a temporary fill-in into long-term value.
For now, Lowe remains one of the most likely players to be dealt this summer. But as the Reds try to climb back into contention, every at-bat counts—and Lowe's hot start is making the decision anything but easy.