Team Venezuela made a Eugenio Suarez decision before their World Baseball Classic game against Dominican Republic.
Team Venezuela made a notable lineup decision ahead of a crucial matchup in the World Baseball Classic that caught the attention of Cincinnati Reds fans following right-handed slugger Eugenio Suarez.
The game carried significant stakes as Venezuela faced the Dominican Republic in its fourth and final pool‑play contest. With advancement in the tournament on the line, the team opted to adjust its defensive alignment and batting order on Wednesday.
Despite Suarez performing well early in the tournament, the veteran third baseman was not included in the starting lineup for the matchup. The decision was somewhat surprising given his recent power production and the strong start he had shown at the plate during the competition. Venezuela ultimately went in a different direction for the game.
The team decided to start Salvador Perez at designated hitter instead of Suarez and Maikel Garcia at third base in his place, with Suarez getting benched for the second time during the tournament.
For Reds fans, the decision was disappointing considering the offensive production Suarez brings to the lineup. Even in limited playing time during the tournament, he had been productive. Through two games played, Suarez recorded a home run and two RBIs for Venezuela while providing the type of middle‑of‑the‑order power that has defined his career.
Suarez will return to Cincinnati once the tournament concludes as he prepares for the upcoming MLB season.
The 34-year-old signed a one‑year, $15 million contract with the Reds earlier this offseason, with the organization hoping he can provide a major boost to a lineup that desperately needs it.
That optimism stems largely from the strong season he delivered in 2025. Suarez split the year between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners, finishing the campaign with some of the best power numbers in baseball.
Across 159 games, Suarez hit 49 home runs and drove in 118 runs while posting a .228 batting average, .298 on‑base percentage and .824 OPS. His power production helped Seattle make a deep postseason run that included reaching the American League Championship Series.
Those numbers illustrate exactly why the Reds targeted Suarez in free agency and spent their limited payroll flexibility on his services. This marks his second stint in Cincinnati after he established himself as an All-Star with the franchise nearly a decade ago.
Once the WBC wraps up, Cincinnati will be eager to welcome Suarez back as he prepares for Opening Day.