Shogo Akiyama is set to make his season debut Friday after he was activated from the 10-day injured list, scheduled to bat ninth in the Cincinnati Reds' series opener in Cleveland.
Akiyama, who missed the first month of the season with a left hamstring strain, was 1-for-9 with three strikeouts in two rehab games at Triple-A Louisville. He played in a few scrimmages at the alternate site before the minor-league season began.
He fills Joey Votto's spot on the 26-man roster. Votto was placed on the injured list Friday after he fractured his left thumb in Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Votto's thumb won't require surgery, but he's expected to miss about a month.
Akiyama had an up-and-down first season in the Major Leagues. He finished the 60-game season with a .245 batting average and .357 on-base percentage. He had seven extra-base hits in 155 at-bats (six doubles and a triple), but he emerged as the team's best hitter in September.
He was a Gold Glove finalist in left field last year. He will likely play more center field this season with Jesse Winker in left field and Nick Castellanos in right field. Nick Senzel was scheduled to start Friday's game at second base, his third start in the infield.
Akiyama injured his left hamstring when he was trying to beat out a ground ball in the infield on March 13.
Votto's injury prompted some shuffling around the infield. Here is the Reds' lineup Friday:
1. Nick Senzel, 2B
2. Jesse Winker, DH
3. Nick Castellanos, RF
4. Mike Moustakas, 1B
5. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
6. Tyler Naquin, CF
7. Tucker Barnhart, C
8. Kyle Farmer, SS
9. Shogo Akiyama, LF
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