Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez set to miss two games for U.S. naturalization test

Eugenio Suárez will not play in the Cincinnati Reds’ next two games, the team announced Monday, with his absence tied to a U.S. naturalization test rather than injury or any baseball-related issue. Suárez, a veteran third baseman, is scheduled to miss Cincinnati’s contests against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday at Great American Ball Park.

Suárez, who is from Venezuela and makes his home in Miami, is required to take the naturalization test as part of the legal process to become a U.S. citizen. The Reds said the test is the reason he will be unavailable for the two-game stretch, which also means Cincinnati’s infield alignment will have to adjust for his absence during those matchups.

For the Reds, the immediate impact is roster and lineup execution. Suárez is a key right-side infielder by role and experience, and missing him for consecutive games forces manager decisions on third base coverage and how to distribute playing time among the rest of the infield group. Even without naming specific replacements, teams at this stage of the season typically manage the gap by reshuffling positions and ensuring defensive stability behind the starting pitcher.

The opponent matters, too. The Reds open this two-game window with the Padres, a team that brings a different style of pitching and lineup construction than many division foes. Without Suárez available, Cincinnati’s hitters will also look to re-balance their in-game roles, since changes to the batting order can follow from changes in the fielding lineup.

Suárez’s situation is a reminder that professional athletes juggle major life milestones alongside their playing schedule. While naturalization-related absences are not common, they are part of the broader reality of MLB’s international player base, and the league typically supports players through the legal and administrative steps required by their countries of residence and eligibility processes.

What to watch next is how the Reds respond in Tuesday’s opener and whether the team can maintain both defensive organization and steady offensive production through Wednesday’s game. When Suárez returns, the Reds will likely look to slot him back into his usual pattern quickly, but the immediate focus will be on minimizing disruption during the stretch against San Diego.