The Reds announced Friday that they’ve reinstated outfielder Shogo Akiyama from the 10-day injured list and put Joey Votto on the injured list in his place. Votto is expected to be out three to four weeks after fracturing his thumb in yesterday’s game. Akiyama has yet to play in 2021 due to a hamstring injury.
Perhaps of more interest to Reds fans will be the new-look defensive alignment the team is rolling out in the wake of Votto’s injury and Akiyama’s return. They’ll open this weekend’s series against the Indians with Mike Moustakas sliding over to first base in Votto’s place, while Nick Senzel moves from center field to second base. Eugenio Suarez is back at third base today, with Kyle Farmer stepping in for him at shortstop. Tyler Naquin is in Senzel’s customary center field, and Akiyama is getting a day in left while Jesse Winker serves as the designated hitter.
This particular alignment obviously won’t be the norm in Votto’s absence, as the Reds won’t have the DH in most of the games they play over the next month. But Moustakas sliding over to first base and Senzel moving from a crowded outfield into the infield could be frequently featured tactics. Second baseman Jonathan India has ample experience at third base, of course, so it’s possible we’ll see a frequent infield of India, Suarez, Senzel and Moustakas. Meanwhile, the Reds will rotate Winker, Naquin, Nick Castellanos and Akiyama in the outfield. Presumably, with the first three all hitting so well to begin the year, they’ll be viewed as the starting trio.
That said, the club surely still has hope of a better performance for Akiyama in is second season at the MLB level. The former Seibu Lions star signed a three-year, $21MM deal with Cincinnati in the 2019-20 offseason, and while he got on base at a nice clip last year, he struggled to hit for much average or power. The now-33-year-old Akiyama batted .245/.357/.297 with six doubles, a triple, no home runs and seven steals (10 attempts) through his first 183 big league plate appearances.
I can’t say I understand why the Reds keep playing Kyle Farmer so much. With so much positional versatility on the roster, why are you playing a former catcher at SS, who isn’t even a particularly good hitter?
Further, I thought that Castellanos would make more sense at 1B but apparently he’s never played there. Which is weird, that would be the first place I would think to put a good hitter who couldn’t hack 3B and is 6’4.
I think farmer is just in for today at short. They have to many other options to make farmer an every day player. He’s ok utility guy though
Jesse Winker works out at 1st all winter with Barry Larkin FWIW
Sit Naquin. He has cooled at the plate and his base running and defense are in the negative WAR.
Reds should play winker at first. Let shogo get lions share of vottos ab’s
Amazing how Shogo’s hammy healed immediately after another left-handed batter went on the IL. Sarcasm not intended to throw shade at solely the Reds, but rather the roster cycling/stashing game all teams seem to play these days. I’m surprised at just how many players go along with the ruse.
They are getting paid and are getting service time. That’s be my reason to my keep my mouth shut
Agreed BrandonGregory74.
Always check out the player’s contract. Shogo, who’s guaranteed for the next two years, likely didn’t mind the 10 days off. I mean, would you, knowing that it doesn’t make any difference in your compensation?
Neither would I.
Perhaps a bad example as this particular coincidence may be legit. Shogo’s guaranteed MLB money certainly gives him leverage to force the team’s hand if truly healthy. Still, the general leaguewide observation stands.
I see what you’re saying, but in this instance, the Reds sent Akiyama on a minor league rehab assignment as soon as the Triple-A season opened and said he could be back as soon as this weekend if all went well. Votto suffered a fractured thumb in the meantime, but that’s just happenstance.
Not saying your broader point doesn’t have merit — teams do this — but it just happened to work out that way with Akiyama/Votto. I’d be curious to know what the move might’ve been had Votto not gone down with the injury.
My guess would have been India, who is slumping, with Senzel sliding in at 2nd.
I think this one’s legit – I thought the Aquino to the IL move was considerably more suspicious – he was out of options and if they’d moved him off the MLB roster they’d have lost him…
Broken bone in his hand requiring surgery is a pretty legit reason for Aristides to be on 60 day IL. Procedurally it makes sense since even on a fast recovery plan he’d be out for over a month.
The Reds are just going to have everyone play every position by the time the season is over.
Finally getting Senzel back in the infield. Hopefully it sticks. I half expected the Reds to do something crazy like move Castellanos back to 3rd, Moose to 2nd, and Winker to 1st.
Moving players to positions that they have always traditionally played. What kind of craziness is that? I don’t think I have ever seen a team act in such a confused manner.
How about Stephenson at 1B.? And can we please drop Suarez in the lineup? I’m tired of watching him strikeout.
I wonder what has happened to Suarez?for two or three years he was one of the better hitting third baseman, but last year and so far this year he looks completely lost at the plate. It’s a relatively small sample size but surprising nonetheless!
Its funny. The Reds have had players playing out of position all season and thry are still better defensively than the Mets