Reds thrilled for Suárez after his clutch moments in Classic

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds were happy for Eugenio Suárez when he delivered on a big stage for Team Venezuela in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic final. The club is even happier that Suárez will soon rejoin the club just before it breaks camp.

Suárez will have to play catch-up somewhat to get more reps. He only got 20 at-bats while batting .200 with two home runs in the WBC on top of the 13 he had for the Reds before leaving for the tournament. Then again, there were some huge at-bats for Venezuela that can't be discounted.

“He’s an impact hitter," Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday. "I think we’re all thrilled for him. I hope playing in a couple of those games and playing the whole game can kind of make up for some of the time he’s missed here with us."

The Reds will end Spring Training on Sunday before playing two exhibition games vs. the Brewers in Milwaukee on Monday and Tuesday.

"We’ll talk to him when he gets back here and see how he wants to handle the next couple of days," Francona said.

Inside the Reds' spring clubhouse on Wednesday morning, a television was showing the re-air of the WBC final between Team USA and Venezuela at a sold-out loanDepot park in Miami.

Several players had already watched the game live, or at least had seen the most important part -- Suárez's go-ahead RBI double in the top of the ninth inning for the winning run during a 3-2 Venezuela victory that gave his country its first WBC title.

“Incredible," Reds center fielder TJ Friedl said. "Seeing him come up in that big moment and put together a great at-bat, it was really cool. I texted my family and we were all so happy for him. Everyone was cheering for him. That’s still my teammate. You always want to see your teammates succeed, and for him to do that for his country and end up hitting the game-winning double was incredible.”

“I’m happy for him," left fielder/first baseman Spencer Steer said. "He’s a teammate, he’s part of our family and we wanted to see him have success. To see him come up in a big moment like that and get that clutch hit, we’re all pumped for him.”

• Suárez's batting gloves heading to Baseball Hall of Fame

While Suárez was coming up big, the Reds were playing the Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark. Francona was kept updated about the outcome.

“It’s good for baseball," Francona said. "It’s hard when you don’t have your guys here but it’s really good for baseball. It sounded like the atmosphere was great.”

In the semifinal win over Italy on Monday with his team trailing, 2-0, Suárez also hit a fourth-inning solo home run for a big spark.

Suárez, who starred for the Reds from 2015-21, was brought back to the organization to provide those types of big moments in important games along with his clubhouse leadership and energy. Cincinnati signed the free agent to a one-year, $15 million contract on Feb. 3.

“I only got to play the last month of '21 with him and then he got traded," Friedl said. "But I’ve been playing against him the last four years, so I’ve seen the impact that he has on every team he’s been with. I’m excited to have that in our clubhouse.”

In a unique twist, new Reds reliever Kyle Nicolas pitched for Team Italy and faced Suárez -- his new teammate -- in the seventh inning of the semifinal. On the first pitch from Nicolas, Suárez flew out to center field.

“I’ve faced him before, but I was like, ‘Well, he’s my teammate now.’ But I got him out though," Nicolas said. "I don’t have to face him anymore. He gets to be on my team, so I’m excited for that.”

Suárez, who slugged 49 homers last season for the Diamondbacks and Mariners, will likely be the regular designated hitter for Cincinnati, but he will also get time at third base and first base. The 34-year-old is expected to bat fourth behind Elly De La Cruz.

“He can leave the yard at any given moment. He can change the game at any given moment," Steer said. "So having a guy like that in the middle of our lineup is a great thing. I’m excited to see him do his thing over a full season.”