The Cincinnati Reds already rank third in the National League in homers this season and they just added a major power bat to their bench.
Aristides Aquino was activated from the 60-day injured list before Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. Outfielder Mark Payton was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to make room for Aquino on the 26-man active roster and Nick Senzel was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for Aquino on the 40-man roster.
Aquino, who had surgery to repair the hamate in his left hand in April, played in six rehab games at Triple-A Louisville. He had five hits in 19 at-bats with two doubles and a homer. He drew eight walks and struck out once.
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“It’s good that (Aquino) got a lot of playing time,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He should be able to hit the ground running when he gets here. We definitely didn’t rush it. He’s healthy and ready to go. I definitely think he can add a lot to our team. We’ve seen it.”
Aquino may start in center field against left-handed starting pitchers, but he will likely see most of his playing time off the bench. Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker are everyday starters in the corners. Tyler Naquin has been starting ahead of Shogo Akiyama in center against right-handed pitchers.
Aquino provides a right-handed power bat off the bench when he’s not in the starting lineup. Reds pinch-hitters are batting .144 this season, entering Sunday, with two extra-base hits.
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The Reds are scheduled to face left-handed starters Monday and Tuesday in Milwaukee.
“I always see it as it will work itself out,” Bell said. “He has to stay ready. There are days he will get starts. I haven’t made a lineup for the next couple days, but we have a couple left-handers coming up. He might get a start there. He’ll come off the bench a lot.”
Aquino hasn’t received regular playing time since his torrid start to his career in 2019, earning National League Player of the Month honors in his first month in the big leagues. He spent most of last season at the alternate site as the Reds wanted him to cut down on his strikeouts.
He had three hits in 13 at-bats before his injury on April 13, which included a double and two homers.
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“I see him as a potential everyday player in this league,” Bell said. “He’s shown that, and he’s capable of that without a doubt. For a guy at this point in his career, it’s still about kind of waiting for that opportunity. That’s easier said than done, too, but he’s shown that he could do it, and I think that ends up being the key to creating that opportunity for himself.”
Senzel wasn’t expected to return before the All-Star break after he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He’s eligible to return on July 17, which is the second game after the All-Star break, and the Reds are hopeful that he will be ready around that date.
Senzel split time between center field and the infield before his injury.
“There was no setback or anything like that,” Bell said. “We wouldn’t have done it if it didn’t line up with when he would have been back, plus or minus a couple days.”
Payton didn’t make any starts and was used as a left-handed bat off the bench. He had four hits in 22 at-bats with two walks and seven strikeouts.
NEW OFFENSE: When the Reds beat the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, 10-3, it was just the third time they've won a game at Great American Ball Park without hitting a homer.
"We’ll take them any way we can get them," Bell said. "Sometimes, you have to work harder to score runs and string more hits, more good at-bats together. Sometimes, it can be more impressive when you do score without the home run. We’ll definitely take the homers too."
The Reds have a 5-12 record when they don't hit a homer in games this season.
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"I just think we’re playing clean baseball," Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said. "I think we’re just finding ways to win without necessarily having to use the homer as a crutch, especially (Saturday).
"I think it always starts with guys on the mound. It really does, in my opinion. It starts with the starters, and we’ve had great starting pitching here as of late, which has allowed us offensively to feel like we’re always in the game. Put good at-bats together, move the line, and score runs."
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