Spencer Steer To Open Season On The Injured List
Spencer Steer (shoulder) will open the season on the injured list. While Steer's shoulder injury isn't considered serious -- he played in a minor-league game on Thursday -- the Reds are playing it safe and holding him out to open the 2025 regular season. The 27-year-old was initially shut down due to his ailing shoulder in late February, and he just hasn't had enough at-bats to be trusted in the starting lineup early on. However, barring a setback on a minor-league rehab assignment to start the year, Steer should definitely make his season debut in the big leagues by the end of April. With Steer opening on the IL, the biggest beneficiary to open the regular season is likely to be Austin Hays in left field.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer reports that Cincinnati Reds corner infielder/outfielder Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Spencer Steer Hits Two-Run Home Run On Friday
Spencer Steer went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Friday's 8-7 win over the Rockies. Steer was back at first base for the fourth straight game after opening the season exclusively as a DH, and has gone 5-for-17 (.294) over that time. Perhaps more importantly, he's struck out just once in his last 20 plate appearances (5.0 percent) after striking out 18 times in his first 59 PA (30.5 percent). After back-to-back 20-home run campaigns, hopefully Friday's home run gets the right-handed hitter going. The Reds get another shot at the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday against Antonio Senzatela, and although Steer has no matchup history with the pitcher, the righty sports a 4.81 ERA and 1.93 WHIP, making all of Cincinnati's hitters viable DFS options.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Source: ESPN
Spencer Steer On The Bench Tuesday, Jeimer Candelario At First Base
Spencer Steer will cede starting first base duties to corner infielder Jeimer Candelario on Tuesday. Steer had started the last two games at first for the Reds while Candelario was on the bench. Neither player has been very productive thus far, with Steer registering a .195 wOBA and 14 wRC+ over 70 plate appearances (PA), while Candelario has a .221 wOBA and 31 wRC+ over 70 PA. The switch-hitting Candelario will go up against the Marlins' RHP Edward Cabrera on Tuesday in Miami, with the 31-year-old going 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and no strikeouts in his career versus the righty. Despite his struggles this season, that type of matchup history could make Candelario a viable DFS play for this contest.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Source: Cincinnati Reds
Spencer Steer Getting Close To Playing The Field
Spencer Steer (shoulder) is getting close to being ready to play first base. "It won't be very long," Francona said. Steer is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners. Outfielder Austin Hays is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup against Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock. A right-shoulder injury has limited Steer to DH duties early this year, and he's hit just .120 (6-for-50) with a home run and three RBI in the early going. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 27-year-old will come around offensively as his shoulder gets closer to 100%. With Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) now on the injured list, using Steer at first base would allow the Reds to move Jeimer Candelario back to third base.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that infielder/outfielder Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
Spencer Steer Starting On The Bench On Tuesday
Spencer Steer will begin Tuesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners on the bench at Great American Ball Park. Austin Hays (calf), who is making his season debut, will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo. Due to a shoulder injury he dealt with in spring training, Steer has yet to appear on defense so far in 2025. However, the 27-year-old has been ramping up his throwing of late and could make his first start on defense soon, which might be bad news for first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Steer's shoulder could be affecting him at the plate as well, as he's started the 2025 campaign hitting just .109 (5-for-46) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts in his first 13 games. Fantasy managers may want to steer clear of Steer for now until he breaks out of his early slump.
Source: MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds outfielder/infielder Source: MLB.com
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