The Cincinnati Reds injured list to start the year isn’t small. There are eight players on it, but five players are actually back on the field in some capacity and working their way back (Tejay Antone, Vladimir Gutierrez, and Justin Dunn are further out from beginning on-field rehabs).
Joey Votto
The only Reds player on the injured list who is actually playing games in an official rehab capacity is Joey Votto. He joined the Triple-A Louisville Bats last night for their Opening Night doubleheader against the Nashville Sounds after the two teams were rained out on Friday. Originally scheduled to play in both games of the doubleheader, Votto went 1-3 with a 448-foot home run and two strikeouts. The first baseman didn’t play in the second game, though, after game one went into extra innings (the Bats lost on a walk-off home run by former Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin). While the Louisville lineup is not out yet, according to the Reds game notes Votto is scheduled to play in today’s game. He is eligible to return from the injured list as early as April 6th.
Nick Senzel
Before spring training came to an end, Nick Senzel was able to get on the field in a few games with the big league club. Unlike Votto, Senzel remained in Arizona when spring training ended for the big leaguers and continued to get into minor league games as he works his way back from toe surgery. Minor League camp is still taking place in Goodyear for all of the minor league teams except for Louisville and Senzel is scheduled to play a full 9-inning game today in one of the games. Manager David Bell told the media prior to the game on Sunday that he is expected to join Louisville on Tuesday for the start of a rehab assignment. Like Votto he is eligible to return to Cincinnati’s active roster as soon as April 6th. That’s almost assuredly not going to happen given the timeline of his rehab.
Luke Weaver
When the spring started the Reds were looking at Luke Weaver as one of their starting pitcher candidates, but forearm tightness in the middle of March shut him down for a short period of time and he wound up making just three appearances in games with Cincinnati. He traveled back with the team after spring training was over and he’s scheduled to throw a bullpen side session today at Great American Ball Park. He’s eligible to return as soon as April 11th, but that seems unlikely.
Tony Santillan
A back injury shut Tony Santillan last June and he didn’t return to the mound. He was going to be a little behind when spring training began as he worked his way back from the injury, but he felt some discomfort in his knee after a recent bullpen session that set him back a little longer. He remained in Goodyear to continue his rehab and he is expected go out on a rehab assignment Tuesday. Santillan is eligible to return from the injured list on April 11th.
Lucas Sims
Last season saw Lucas Sims undergo back surgery to repair a herniated disc. He was pitching in spring training games with the Reds, but with about two weeks left in camp he had back spasms and it set him back a little bit. He stayed back in Goodyear and has been throwing on the side. Later today he’s scheduled to throw an inning in a minor league game. Sims can return from the injured list as early as April 11th.
Votto will make it back. How well he plays remains to be seen. Hopefully, he announces his intent to retire at year end. I’d like to see him finish as a Red, but I don’t think next year is in the team’s best interest.
Sims/Santillian, I’m somewhat skeptical that either will bounce back – ever. Bad backs are tough for fans to recover from. Could be career ending for a pticher.
Weaver, who knows. He’s pushing 30, has a career era of 4.79 and a WHIP of 1.4. It’s been 5 years since he topped 100 IP and the likelihood of him being a major rotation piece is rather slim at this point.
Senzel? I said in December that he wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day. And had he been I don’t think it would have mattered. His status as a high draft pick keeps folks cross their fingers and hoping. But, I think Senzel’s time has come and gone. Waive him and let him join Aquino in Japan.
I just don’t see where Senzel fits in at this point with current roster of players. I liked to see that Friedl was given the opportunity to play center versus a left handed pitcher. I really believe he is the future in center.
I never thought I would say this, but I agree with everything you stated above @LDS!
Honestly, I can see the Reds moving on from Senzel. Can’t stay healthy. Same goes for Sims. I hope he returns but back issues are tricky.
At some point, patience runs thin and others step up to take your place.
He’s had his chances,if they wouldn’t have moved him from third it might have been different the Reds need to move on.
IMO, the best thing that could happen for the Reds and Senzel is that he would get on a roll during his rehab, continue if/ when he is brought up, and subsequently be dealt somewhere he will have a chance to start all over with the process bringing the Reds a return better than a long shot lottery guy.
I’m looking forward to Votto coming back soon.
I think Senzel has more chace to come back to the major team after playing his month of rehab and Will Benson continues his struggling or Fairchild does not perform well… but if it does not occur maybe Senzel should be traded or DFA’d…