MILWAUKEE – Since the middle of May, the Cincinnati Reds have played without two of their potential starting infielders. While the offense has stayed near the top of the National League in most major categories during that time, Nick Senzel and Mike Moustakas are expected to receive frequent playing time when they come off the injured list.
Senzel has been out since May 17 after having knee surgery, but Reds manager David Bell said Senzel recently turned a corner in his recovery. Over the last four days, Senzel has started running, taking ground balls and swinging the bat.
Cincinnati Reds:Should Reds' Wade Miley and Tucker Barnhart have been added to the NL All-Star team?
“It’s been a little slower than we all would have liked,” Bell said. “Just in the last three or four days, he’s made a lot of progress. I’m hoping over the All-Star break, we can kind of target a date and have a better idea. It’s getting close.”
Moustakas has been out since May 18 with a heel injury, but he hasn’t made such significant progress in his recovery.
“A little bit of progress,” Bell said. “He threw (this week) but he’s still in a boot. He’s still trying to get through the pain. I have a feeling once that happens, it’s going to go real quick but it’s not quite there yet. No sort of a timetable really even. It’s really tough to predict this injury.”
In addition, infielder Alex Blandino provided depth in the infield when he was healthy. But Blandino has been on the 10-day injured list since June 5 with a broken right hand.
Cincinnati Reds:Eugenio Suárez gets his biggest hit of the season as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Brewers
“Blandino is getting close,” Bell said. “He has been hitting wiffle balls and kind of progressing and doing more hand strength. The thing with him is he’ll go really quick once he’s fully healed because he’s been able to keep his legs in great shape and all of that. It’s just managing the last bit of healing and pain.”
LOPEZ AT SHORT?: Before the Reds game on Friday, infielder Alejo Lopez fielded ground balls across the infield. Usually, one of the Reds assistant coaches hits ground balls as the team works on infield defense.
On Friday, Bell was the coach hitting ground balls to Lopez. In Lopez’s first two weeks in MLB, he has been working to prove he can play every position, including shortstop.
Reds baseball:Reds notes: Why Reds manager David Bell was so impressed with an error
“I’m just getting reps everywhere,” Lopez said. “Wherever they need me, I can do the job. I think they know that. I’m just getting my reps in, just doing it all over the place. Whenever they need me, I’ll be ready.”
Lopez primarily played second base and third base in the Minor Leagues and in MLB with the Reds. Even though he was signed as a shortstop, Lopez played in only 10 games in the Minor Leagues at that position over six seasons.
Reds:RedsXtra: Evaluating top Cincinnati Reds draft picks over the last decade
Before games, Lopez is practicing at second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield.
“This is where I want to be,” Lopez said. “Wherever they need me, I’ll do the job. I just want to stay here.”
GOOD GARRETT: Entering Sunday’s game, Reds reliever Amir Garrett has allowed only two runs out of the bullpen since June 9, and he has 17 strikeouts over his last 10 innings.
In the Reds 4-3 win over the Brewers on Saturday, Garrett pitched the seventh inning. He faced three batters and had three strikeouts.
Cincinnati Reds baseball:Jonathan India continues to play through pain – and thrive atop Cincinnati Reds lineup
“We’ve seen that before a lot, but one of the best of the year as far as the way he attacked with his fastball,” Bell said. “He was dominant, and we’ve seen him many times do that. That was a really good one. It was the way he went about it. I thought his fastball was outstanding, that just makes everything else better.”
Source link
