Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Josh VanMeter may miss the next few days with a leg issue that’s been bothering him for a bit. As reported by John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the issue began as shin splints for VanMeter, but has developed into something else. He says that he’ll take a few days off and hopefully be back after the off day on Tuesday.
On Saturday Josh VanMeter left the game after his at-bat against the Cubs in which he tweaked his leg when his cleat got caught in the ground as he swung. The Reds trainer came out mid-at-bat to check on him, but he remained in the game until he completed the at-bat. It’s been a good spring so far for the 24-year-old, who is hitting .400/.526/.667 with four walks, a home run, a double, and just two strikeouts in 19 plate appearances.
With the signing of Mike Moustakas to play second base – the position VanMeter is best suited for – it’s changed the potential role he could serve. While he can play all kinds of positions, giving manager David Bell options on where to put VanMeter on a given day. But Moustakas and Suarez are expected to play just about every single day at second and third base. And in the outfield the Reds aren’t exactly lacking in options, either – and already have left-handed hitters with Jesse Winker and Shogo Akiyama in scenarios where a left-handed hitter makes sense in the lineup.
Too many options is never bad for a team. But for a player like Josh VanMeter, he’s also got a bit of an uphill battle for playing time on the 2020 Cincinnati Reds if everyone is healthy, too.
Talking 2020 Reds at Cards Conclave
Myself, Wick Terrell of Red Reporter, and Abby Caldwell of Blog Red Machine all took a few minutes of our time to answer some questions about the Cincinnati Reds over at Cards Conclave for their annual “Playing Pepper” series that they do each spring, looking around the division.
Hope this doesn’t leave him out in the cold come final roster time.
Get well soon, Josh!
Informal poll- Who thinks Dietrich lands a roster spot?
No… with the caveat that if Galvis and VanMeter both can’t go, then yes, he’d sneak on.
I think Galvis being injured would be a doomsday scenario for this team. I can’t imagine Kyle and Blandino holding things down at short for a competing team, and I say this as a fan of Kyle Farmer. Hopefully Freddy gets it together!
If Galvis can’t go—I predict we’ll see AlfRod or maybe (maybe) even Garcia. More likely AlfRod.
Re: Dietrich- if he makes it for opening day, that means one of two things, neither of which are good:
1) Galvis and VanMeter are both out, like Matt WI says, or
2) Reds front office/ manager have lost their collective minds.
Reds just love vets who provide a month or two of playing way over what’s on the back of their card.Reds need to move beyond that silly stuff and let these young guys play.I know the youngsters need regular at bats so expect him to be sent down but my skin still crawls with seeing Peraza/DD at second last year while JVM went to the outfield.
I still think JVM could be an above average everyday player for the Reds in the next year or three. I’m actually hoping he (and Aquino) are playing every day in AAA to start the season. I don’t think either one will be best used in the short term or the long run by mostly sitting the bench in Cincinnati. If there are 5 bench slots, and assuming Galvis and Suarez are ready, I’m expecting / hoping those go to Akiyama, Ervin, Casali, Farmer and Blandino. There’s no room or need for Dietrich, and JVM and AA should be starting every day in AAA. But if Suarez or Galvis can’t go, I’d be okay with JVM as a short term fill in. Here’s hoping that’s not necessary. And either way here’s hoping he’s back to 100% soon himself.