Terry Francona BLAMES World Baseball Classic for Eugenio Suárez’s Slow Start? | Cincinnati Reds News

Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby discuss Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona’s comments about Eugenio Suárez and the impact the World Baseball Classic may have had on his slow start to the 2026 season. They break down Francona suggesting the WBC disrupted Suárez’s spring preparation, why Suárez disagrees with that assessment, and whether the veteran slugger is on the verge of one of his trademark hot streaks.

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The Cincinnati Reds entered June believing they were still firmly in the National League Central race. One week later, the outlook has become much more concerning.

After being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, the Reds have fallen to 31-33 and sit in last place in the NL Central, 9.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Cincinnati has lost four straight games and is just 2-8 over its last 10 contests. The Reds have also struggled mightily against teams with winning records, posting a 9-21 mark against clubs above .500.

The most frustrating part for Reds fans is that this season once looked so promising. Cincinnati raced out to one of the best starts in baseball under manager Terry Francona. The team played outstanding defense, won close games at a historic rate, and received contributions throughout the roster. For much of April, the Reds sat atop the division despite an offense that ranked near the bottom of Major League Baseball in several categories.

Since then, injuries, inconsistent offense, and bullpen struggles have completely changed the trajectory of the season.

One of the biggest storylines remains the absence of star shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The Reds' most dynamic player is currently on the injured list, and his absence has left a massive hole in the lineup. Cincinnati recently promoted top prospect Edwin Arroyo to make his MLB debut, but expecting any rookie to replace the impact of De La Cruz is unrealistic.

The pitching staff has also been hit hard by injuries. Right-hander Hunter Greene remains sidelined, while several other starters have missed time throughout the year. There was some positive news Sunday as Rhett Lowder returned from the injured list and made his first start in over a month. Lowder did not allow a run in three innings, but command issues limited him to just three frames as he worked his way back from a shoulder injury.

Unfortunately for Cincinnati, Lowder's return was overshadowed by another late-game collapse. The Reds held a competitive position throughout Sunday's game before defensive mistakes and bullpen issues allowed the Cardinals to rally for a 5-3 victory. The loss completed a three-game sweep and reportedly prompted a rare team meeting as frustrations continue to mount.

Offensively, the Reds have struggled to find consistency. While players such as Matt McLain and Tyler Stephenson showed signs of life Sunday, the club has averaged just over three runs per game during its recent slide. Too often, the lineup has failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, placing additional pressure on a pitching staff already dealing with injuries.

Another major storyline involves veteran slugger Eugenio Suárez. After returning to Cincinnati following a 49-home-run season in 2025, expectations were enormous. Suárez delivered one of the Reds' biggest early-season moments with a game-winning home run against Boston in March, but overall his production has fallen well short of expectations. Francona recently suggested that Suárez's participation in the World Baseball Classic may have disrupted his normal spring training routine and contributed to his slow start.

The bullpen has become another significant concern. Early in the season, Cincinnati's relief corps was among the best in baseball. Recently, however, leads have been difficult to hold. Walks, defensive miscues, and a lack of dependable late-inning options have contributed to multiple heartbreaking losses. Several games during the current losing stretch have slipped away after the Reds held late leads.

The good news is that the season is far from over. There are still nearly 100 games remaining, and the Reds have enough talent to make a run if they can get healthy. A lineup featuring De La Cruz, McLain, Stephenson, Spencer Steer, Sal Stewart, and a productive Suárez still has significant upside. The rotation could also receive boosts from Greene and other injured pitchers later in the summer.

The challenge now is stopping the bleeding.

The Reds begin a crucial series against the San Diego Padres on Monday. What looked like a routine West Coast trip a few weeks ago suddenly feels like a turning point in the season. If Cincinnati can start winning games again and get healthier, they can remain relevant in both the NL Central and Wild Card races. If the current trend continues, the front office may be forced to shift its focus from contention to figuring out why a season that started with so much promise unraveled so quickly.