Reds sending Geno for MRI to see if rehab can ramp up

CHICAGO -- The Reds have missed the contributions of key slugger Eugenio Suárez since he's been down with a mild left oblique strain. Friday will be an important day in Suárez's efforts to return to a lineup that badly needs him back.

An MRI is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Friday in Cincinnati to see if Suárez's oblique has healed enough to be cleared to resume activity at full strength.

“I hope I start doing more on the field tomorrow, like BP, fielding with my team," Suárez said on Thursday morning. "I feel very well doing my stuff here. We have to make sure it’s healing really well to do it 100 percent.”

Suárez, 34, went on the 10-day injured list on April 25 (retroactive to April 23) after he strained his oblique while taking a swing in batting practice at Great American Ball Park. After resting for several days, he has been able to run, take ground balls at third base and swing at soft tosses in the indoor cage. He estimated he's been swinging at "60 to 70 percent."

“I don’t feel anything. That’s why we’re going to look at it tomorrow. If it looks good, I might go harder than that," said Suárez, who was signed in February to a one-year, $15 million contract to boost Cincinnati's offense.

Suárez, who was a popular player with the Reds from 2015-21, was also added to be a veteran leader on the field and in the clubhouse. Despite being unable to play, he's been a welcome presence for the club on the road trip.

“He’s always there in the middle of stuff, always. It’s just his personality," manager Terry Francona said. "He’s always a good presence. He’s not a drag on anybody, believe me.”

Suárez has only been able to watch, however, as the Reds dropped the first six games of their seven-game road trip through Pittsburgh and Chicago.

“Obviously, it’s very tough for me," Suárez said. "I want to be with the boys outside there doing my best. It’s part of the process that I’ve been going through. I’ll be back very soon. I’m doing my best to cheer for them from the bench, trying to help them keep their good vibes, especially at this tough moment that we’ve been passing through. It’s part of the game.”

De La Cruz used as the designated hitter

After starting the Reds' first 37 games at his usual shortstop position, Elly De La Cruz served as the designated hitter for Thursday afternoon's road trip finale vs. the Cubs. It's viewed as a way to give De La Cruz a partial rest without taking his bat out of the lineup.

“I don’t think he particularly likes it," Francona said. "I just think it’s better for him. We had an extra-inning game last night. It’s been cold. He’s been out there a lot. We’ve been on defense more than we’ve been in the dugout, and we don’t have a day off tomorrow going home. I thought it makes sense today.”

McLain snaps hitting slump

Normally Cincinnati's second baseman, Matt McLain started at shortstop for De La Cruz. McLain has been one of multiple Reds hitters who has endured a hitting funk, but he snapped an 0-for-19 and 3-for-33 skid with a third-inning single on Wednesday.

McLain also hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and was a big spark in a four-run ninth inning. He sacrifice bunted, reached safely and hustled from second base to score a second run after Tyler Stephenson came home on De La Cruz's sacrifice fly.

“He plays the game so well," Francona said. "We want him in there because he plays the game so well. But we need the offense.”