The Reds announced Monday that center fielder Nick Senzel has been activated from the injured list, with right-hander Tyler Thornburg moving from the 10-day injured list to the 45-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot. Senzel, who’ll technically return as the 29th man for today’s doubleheader, has been out since Aug. 19. He’s starting the first game of today’s twin bill in center.
Senzel, 25, was the No. 2 overall pick back in 2016 and was out to a .244/.327/.489 start through 14 games and 53 plate appearances in 2020. He hit .256/.315/.427 with a dozen homers and 14 steals as a rookie last year. He’ll add another option to an outfield mix that has seen seen Jesse Winker break out as one of the league’s more productive hitters. Nick Castellanos, meanwhile, has faded after a blistering start to the season, while rookie Shogo Akiyama has gone the opposite route — heating up in September after a slow start to his big league career.
The 31-year-old Thornburg went on the 10-day injured list late last week due to an elbow sprain — the latest in a mounting series ailments for the talented but oft-injured righty. Thornburg allowed three runs and punched out 10 hitters in seven innings with the Reds this year before the latest issue popped up.
Thornburg looked to be a breakout bullpen piece for the Brewers back in 2016 when he tossed 67 frames of 2.15 ERA ball with a 90-to-25 K/BB ratio, but he’s been derailed by injuries since being traded to the Red Sox in the Travis Shaw deal that winter. He battled shoulder troubles in early 2017 before undergoing thoracic outlet surgery that summer — a procedure that kept him out until July 2018. Thornburg returned to Boston in 2019 but was sidelined by a hip impingement for much of the season as well. Details on his current injury are still sparse, but the move to the 45-day IL formally brings his 2020 season to a close. He crossed six years of big league service in 2020, so he’ll be a free agent this winter.
Hey Reds fans, do y’all still think Senzel has that top prospect potential? I wouldn’t know, because I hardly follow the NL Central.
He’s average or above-average at everything. As long as his hit tool progresses as expected, he should be an above-average regular. I wouldn’t expect any kind of superstar potential unless his power shows up more than expected. Imagine Scott Rolen with a little more speed but less power and defense.
To me, he is reminiscent of David Dahl of the Rockies. Uber-talented, but can’t stay on the field long enough to showcase it. Hopefully I am wrong in both cases, because I enjoy watching both players. Unfortunately, players don’t tend to become less injury prone as they age.
He’s had a lot of weird injuries including his bout with Vertigo. This IR placement has been shrouded in mystery as to its length and reason, and is likely connected to a positive covid test. He seems more snake-bitten than injury prone to me, but time will tell of course. He certainly needs to put in a good healthy stretch before he’ll rid himself of these concerns.
Not a Reds fan, but Senzel is still loaded with talent, he has an elite hit tool, some pop and good speed. If he can JUST STAY HEALTHY he has all-star potential in my view (depending on how his CF continues to progress).
But sure enough if there is an injury that can be gotten he’ll get it.
No one was getting a fastball by Senzel earlier this season, and he was squaring them up quite well regardless of mph. Showed a very quick bat before the IR placement.
He’s been moved around the field a lot because of where the Reds have needed defensive help, I don’t know if that has contributed to the injury issues but I think he has potential to take that next step and I’d like to see what he can do offensively if he has a regular everyday spot on defense.
He’s the Reds starting CF when healthy
No, it hasn’t. His vertigo, COVID, and his ankle injury while sliding into 2B were unfortunate, but not position related. He did however end last season on the IR with a shoulder injury, probably sustained while making a highlight real catch on the wall.
ksoze…You’re exactly right. It’s had nothing to do with bouncing around the diamond, because he hasn’t. His biggest issue has been staying healthy. I’d love to see a full season from this guy, because he’s still the type of player that can be a catalyst for this team. He’s a very talented young man at the plate and in the field.