The Cincinnati Reds will be missing their MVP candidate and their third hitter in the lineup for the near future.
On Friday, the Reds placed outfielder Nick Castellanos on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Tuesday with a microfracture in his right wrist.
Castellanos was hit by a pitch on Friday, and he appeared in Monday’s game as a pinch-hitter. But after Wednesday’s game, Reds manager David Bell said the team learned that Castellanos had a small fracture following a CT scan.
“In some ways, surprised, in some ways, not,” Bell said about the small fracture. “And I only say that because when you get hit with a pitch in that part of the hand, a lot of it is based on the symptoms and the tolerance, and just the healing process. But I did hear a potential bone bruise from one of the exams he had, and every now and then, that could be just slightly more than that.”
Cincinnati Reds:Series Wrap: 3 reasons to be optimistic, pessimistic about Reds' playoff chances
With Nick Senzel also on the injured list, Jesse Winker, Tyler Naquin, Shogo Akiyama and Aristides Aquino are the only outfielders on the active roster.
Since Castellanos is out, either Aquino or Akiyama will likely be a starting outfielder against right-handed pitchers. Against left-handed pitchers, Naquin or Akiyama could start against lefties.
On Friday, Naquin got the start with the Reds facing Cardinals left-handed starter Wade LeBlanc.
Cincinnati Reds:Series Wrap: 3 reasons to be optimistic, pessimistic about Reds' playoff chances
Bell said the Reds won’t have an every day replacement.
“It’ll be different from day to day,” Bell said. “We’ve stepped up, stayed strong, stayed together, and guys have been stepping up all year and doing everything they’ve been asked to do and more.”
Among the Reds four remaining outfielders, three have been strictly platoon players this season.
Since the left-handed Naquin is hitting .194 against left-handed pitchers, he has only started three games against a left-handed starter.
Akiyama, also left-handed, hasn’t had consistent playing time in 2021 and has only started one game all season against a left-handed starter.
Aquino has also been a part of a platoon when he has been healthy, starting in center field over Naquin against left-handed starters. Aquino has 67 plate appearances this season with 14 hits, and nine of those hits were an extra-base hit.
Against right-handed pitchers, Bell’s biggest decision will likely be choosing Akiyama or Aquino to start.
“It’ll be based on a lot of things, just like we make all our decisions,” Bell said. “But I would not go into it saying Shogo is going to play against every right-hander, and Aquino is going to play against every left-hander.”
Against left-handers, Bell will likely have to use Naquin or Akiyama consistently against a left-handed starter for the first time this season. On Friday, Naquin was in the lineup in center field to make his fourth start of the season against a left-handed starter.
Alejo Lopez, an infielder who was promoted from Triple-A on Friday, made his first Minor League start in left field on Wednesday. A switch hitter, Lopez could also factor into the team's outfield plans.
Reds:Daugherty: Thom Brennaman negotiating a difficult path back
Cincinnati Reds roster moves
Lopez will have his second MLB opportunity of the season, and he had five hits in 17 at-bats.
The Reds also called up starting pitcher Vladimir Gutiérrez from Louisville. The team hasn’t announced if he’ll be a starter or a reliever.
The team released Minor League pitcher José De León, who was designated for assignment earlier this week.
Amir Garrett on paternity list
The Reds placed reliever Amir Garrett on the 3-day paternity list on Friday.
The Reds currently have eight relief pitchers on the roster, plus Gutiérrez and Hoffman, whose roles will be determined this week.
Source link
