The Reds announced this evening that outfielders Nick Senzel and Tyler Naquin have been placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Fellow outfielders Albert Almora Jr. and Ronnie Dawson have been selected to the majors as designated COVID substitutes.
It’s the second time this season that both Senzel and Naquin have gone on the virus list. They join first baseman Joey Votto, who hit the COVID list yesterday. The team didn’t announce whether either player has tested positive, is dealing with symptoms, or has been identified as a close contact.
That the team specified Almora’s and Dawson’s selections as being of the “substitute” variety is notable for their roster status. Under the 2022 health and safety protocols, the commissioner’s office has the sole discretion to determine whether a team has been sufficiently impacted by COVID to call up “substitute” players. If granted permission, the team can then return those substitutes back to Triple-A (and, if he was not previously on the 40-man, off the roster entirely) without utilizing a minor league option or passing the player through waivers.
Neither Almora nor Dawson were previously on the 40-man roster. Almora inked a minor league contract over the offseason, while the Reds plucked Dawson from the Astros in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Both players can thus be taken off the 40-man and returned to Triple-A Louisville without clearing waivers as the team gets healthier.
Almora is the more familiar name for most fans. A top ten pick of the Cubs in 2012, he spent a few seasons as Chicago’s primary center fielder. Almora played strong defense and hit at a roughly league average level for his first couple years in the majors, but his offensive output turned downwards beginning in 2019. He played in 47 games but only tallied 54 plate appearances for the Mets last season. He has gotten off to a productive if atypical start at Louisville, hitting .380/.392/.460. Almora has walked just once in 51 plate appearances, but he’s also only punched out twice.
Dawson is an Ohio native who played collegiately at Ohio State. He made a brief debut with Houston last season, tallying six plate appearances in three games. The 26-year-old is hitting .283/.377/.435 over 106 plate appearances with the Bats. He has suited up at all three outfield positions but spent the majority of his time in the corners.
Ok start the Covid comments now ….
Sad when no news would be gooder news.
I’m starting to think Senzel tries to stay off the field. But then if I played for this team, I’d do the same.
They need to give up on Senzel and move him. Definitely needs a change of scenery for sure.
He needs to be back in the infield.
They must really be having a tough time if they both have been on the Covid list twice in the month since the season began.
I’ll always root for Almora. He got off to a nice start to his career. Then a foul ball off his bat hit a young girl in the stands and he reacted, like the rest of us, with horror. He’s never been the same since. Good luck Albert!
I completely forgot about that, yea man he was a wreck over that.
Really going to hurt that reds playoff push
Yeah, Phillies should be able to walk into the play offs now
It must be a blessing and a curse to be called up. Blessing in that I get called up to the big club, curse in that I probably get DFA’d as I am not on the 40 man, so it will be short lived. But, been there, done that…
Ronnie!
Shout out to the MLB Trade Rumors guys trying to keep up with all the Reds transactions.
When you are 3-20 does it matter?
3-21. Worst start since 1-23 Orioles. Curse of Cueto finally coming home. That’s what the Reds get for him ending Jason Larue’s career when he was kicking like a little girl.
Wow dude that was 12 years ago. Might be a happier person if you let stuff go…
They have a real chance at losing 121. If they do…does that make them overachievers or underachievers?
They are not going to lose 121 games, however if you would like to back up with foolish comments with a wager…
This team could absolutely lose 121
Can’t hit. Can’t pitch. And play just dumb baseball at times.
Not to mention the manager sucks, the front office is the drizzling s%$ts and ownership is a dumpster fire.
.125
Time to call my Mets and swing a JD Davis deal for a couple of relievers.