X-rays negative after top trade candidate Suárez HBP on right hand

DETROIT -- It’s been a tough week emotionally for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez as he tries to navigate trade rumors and a slump at the plate.

Monday night, though, things turned painful for Suárez as he was hit on the right index finger by a 95.6 mph sinker thrown by Tigers reliever Will Vest. Suárez was clearly in pain and jumped when athletic trainer Ryan DiPanfilo touched his finger.

Suárez, who usually fights to stay in a game, walked immediately to the dugout. X-rays taken at Comerica Park following Arizona’s 5-1 loss were negative, but Suárez is scheduled to undergo more testing Tuesday in Detroit.

It is not just the Diamondbacks that would be impacted if Suárez’s injury is serious. As a soon-to-be free agent, Suárez, with his 36 homers and 87 RBIs, is arguably the best offensive player available before Thursday’s Trade Deadline and has been drawing interest from several teams, including the Tigers.

“It's painful, obviously, but the good news is the X-ray was negative,” Suárez said. “I thought something broke, but thank God it wasn’t. We’ll see tomorrow what [tests] they’re going to do, but right now I will do my best to try and get back soon.”

Suárez has now been hit by 15 pitches this year. A number of them have been on his right hand.

“It's crazy,” Suárez said. “I don't know. I’ve gotten hit so many times by pitches in my hand so far this year. I don't know what's going on.”

The Diamondbacks don’t think there was any intent to hit Suárez, but it’s a sore subject in the clubhouse simply because it has happened so often.

“It's part of the game, and I don't think Vest is trying to hit anybody there, let alone one of the most impressive hitters in MLB,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “You don't want to do those types of things and get those types of players off the field. They need to be on the field performing. [Suárez is] just a great story this season. So for sure, I don't think there was any intent.”

"I really hope Geno's OK, too," said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. "That was a nasty hit-by-pitch. I don't know what's going to come of that, but I know he's well-loved in this organization and that organization, really every organization he's been in. That was an ugly sound at the end for a very popular and talented player, so let's all pray for the best."

Over the past week as it became apparent that the Diamondbacks were going to be sellers at Thursday’s Trade Deadline, Suárez’s name has been bandied about in rumors.

In six games since July 22, including Monday before he got hit, Suárez was 2-for-21, and has been asked constantly if he hears the noise surrounding the rumors.

“I try to not think too much about that and keep my mind clean and play my game, not change anything, and see what happens, if I stay or go,” Suárez said before the game. “My mind is fine. I've been praying a lot for calm and to stay focused on my job and not think too much about it.”

That’s certainly a good approach to take, but especially in this day and age, it’s hard to ignore it when you’re asked about it constantly.

“It's a lot of rumors outside -- media and other stuff,” Suárez said. “I get messages from somewhere or somebody asking where I’m going. A lot of people from Venezuela, even my family, ask me where I'm going. I can't say anything, because I don't know where I'm going. I don't know if I'm going either.”

With the hit by pitch, that became even less clear.