The Reds have gone without injured second baseman Scooter Gennett all season, but his return is getting closer. Gennett could begin a rehab assignment within “two or three weeks,” manager David Bell said Saturday (via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com).
Gennett suffered a right groin strain March 22, at which point he was projected to miss eight to 12 weeks. It’s now clear the 29-year-old won’t return until near the end of that timeline, if not later. Fortunately for the Reds, they’ve received excellent second base production even without Gennett. Minor league signing Derek Dietrich has been a revelation in Gennett’s place, having slashed an elite .260/.366/.707 (168 wRC+) with 17 home runs over 145 plate appearances.
Like Dietrich, Gennett originally arrived in Cincinnati as a low-risk pickup. The Reds claimed Gennett off waivers from the NL Central rival Brewers on the brink of the 2017 campaign. Little did either team know Gennett would emerge as one of the game’s most valuable second basemen in Cincy. The 28-year-old’s coming off a two-season, 1,135-PA stretch in which he batted .303/.351/.508 with 50 home runs to place third at his position in wRC+ (124) and sixth in fWAR (6.7).
Gennett will reclaim his spot once he returns, Bell suggested, saying, “Obviously, Scooter is going to be playing.” But Bell indicated the Reds’ lineup is big enough for Gennett and Dietrich, pointing to the latter’s ability to play multiple other infield positions – first and third base – as well as the outfield.
First (Joey Votto) and third (Eugenio Suarez) are spoken for in Cincinnati, whereas corner outfielders Yasiel Puig and Jesse Winker haven’t established themselves as Reds cornerstones the way Votto and Suarez have. And Dietrich has handily outproduced Puig and Winker, which could open the door for him in the outfield. Platooning Dietrich – a lefty hitter who does all his damage versus righties – with Puig or Winker wouldn’t be easy, though. The righty-swinging Puig has typically caused more harm to same-handed pitchers (that hasn’t been the case this year, but he has scuffled in general), while the lefty Winker hasn’t had any success against southpaws this season. Of course, the Reds could resolve the situation to a degree if they fall out of contention in the coming weeks and trade Puig – an impending free agent.
Or trade Dietrich, who is playing better and making much less and therefor is more valuable.
I think most people know what kind of player Dietrich is and aren’t gonna fork out a lot to get him. He might be “more valuable” but that term is very relative in this situation. Like is he more valuable than dirt? Sure. A bag of trash? Ehhh maybe
Wow! “A bag of trash.”
Reds expect SCOOTER will be back with BELL soon !!
No…just no.
well I know Scooter was playing some outfield with the Brewers too so that is a possibility for some at bats
He played outfield in Milwaukee the same way I took part in High school calculus classes.
…sure I showed up because I had to but it’s not like I did anything or got any questions right.
The Reds with Gennett and Dietrich are in a position similar to the Mets with Dom Smith and Pete Alonso. It’s called a good problem to have.
Trade Dietrich to the Phillies!
No. I’d have to stop being a fan of him then. ;-)
If the Reds were smart they should start negotiations with Gennett, Dietrich and Jose Iglesias to new contract!
Sell low, buy high. Thanks Charles Schwab.
They need to get rid of Votto contract whom is washed up! That would allow the Reds to move Dietrich to first, Gennett at second and Josè Iglesias at shortstop They need to trade Josè Peraza as he isn’t hitting and they have even tried playing him in the outfield!
Something to remind fans. If you want to get rid of a player that is not hitting or doing well, remember, why will another team want him?
Respectfully, Scooter Gennett is to two minutes ago what Joey Votto is to Toronto trade bait. Both of these guys need to be moved ASAP.
Gennett turns the wrong way on a pop out and is out w/a strained groin for longest time on record since Tiger Woods. His defense is like an Arkansas Levy. Derek Dietrich has made Scooter Gennett the dude who just got offed on Jeopardy. Let’s move on.
And the folks who want to move on from Iglesias 2.0 must not be watching the tape on the kid (read: mucho locho). Iglesias has a better glove than Larkin, and a stick that’s to the infinity Ted power what anyone expected. I luv the kid.
Da nada.
Levee, not levy. One is for rivers, one is for taxes.
I’m guessing you meant loco here?
I’ll ignore luv.
And it’s “Denada or De Nada”, not “Da Nada”.
If you’re going to write like a buzzfeed wannabe, at least give grammar a go.