Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario took an early exit from Wednesday night’s contest with the Phillies. He appeared to hurt himself on a swing in his final at-bat, and while he smacked a double on the very next pitch, he continued to grimace from second base. After the game, manager David Bell said that “hopefully” it was nothing more than “hyperextension of the elbow” (per Bally Sports Cincinnati). He said the team does not believe the injury is serious, but they will reevaluate Candelario on Friday before their series opener against the Mets.
Not so long ago, the Reds appeared to have a playing time crunch in the infield. However, Noelvi Marte’s 80-game suspension and Matt McLain’s shoulder surgery cleared up the logjam. If Candelario requires an IL stint, Cincinnati’s infield depth will suddenly be tested. Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand can play third base, but they’re already playing regular roles in left field and at first base, respectively. Santiago Espinal, acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays late this spring, is another option to fill in at the hot corner.
In other injury news from around the NL Central…
- Brendan Donovan was also removed mid-game on Wednesday. Leading off for the Cardinals, he was hit by a pitch in the very first plate appearance of the game. Several innings later, he was hit again, and this time, he did not return to left field in the bottom half of the frame. The second pitch hit him on his throwing elbow (per John Denton of MLB.com). Donovan, a versatile utility player, has played six of his seven games in left field this season. The Cardinals already have three outfielders on the IL – Tommy Edman, Lars Nootbaar, and Dylan Carlson – and can hardly afford to lose another.
- In more positive injury news, Jameson Taillon is progressing well as he recovers from a stiff lower back. According to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, the righty’s live batting practice session went well on Tuesday. He is set to make a rehab start on Sunday. If all goes well in his rehab appearance, he could still be on track to rejoin the Cubs in mid-April; two weeks ago, manager Craig Counsell suggested mid-April was the earliest Taillon could return (per Lee).
Remember last winter when we all marveled at the Reds Infield depth? Neither do i…
I remember.
Same way we marveled at the Cardinals outfield depth…
Except the Reds’ logjam was due to a talent surplus.
The Cards’ OF logjam was due to a plethora of mediocre players.
You forgot the trigger alert on that comment for STL fans.
darkside is ruining mlb traderumors whoever oversees the site is not doing their job.
I don’t think I muted him, but I’m not seeing any posts from dark side. What’s the issue?
Don’t forget the various Slider accounts.
Cincinnati (notice I spelled it right) seems to have a conditioning problem going back a few years. But hey, no one can criticize the exalted one here.
Nope, you can always count on you to criticize Nick Krall, no matter the news, good or bad. Day after day after day.
Of course, you were the one who insisted we needed a couple of top of the rotation starters to be added to the Reds staff. Small sample size warning,but the Reds have the 6th best ERA in the NL (even with 5 pitchers on the IL) while having GABP as their home ballpark.
And you are the one that complained day after day that Nick Krall had acquired too many infielders. If he hadn’t, Matt Reynolds would’ve been the starting third baseman on opening day.
But hey, you know how to spell Cincinnati (or how to use talk to text).
Actually by position performance Reds are 9th in all pitching and 4th in sp so far (behind KCR, Houston, and LAD). In 6 games Reds SP have 32.2 IP , allowing 27 H, 10 ER, 11 BB, while striking out 28. Not bad and fwiw Richardson, Lodolo, and Phillips all had great sp outings at AAA.
And you’re going to crow about stats after 6 games? Really? Ever heard the term- Small sample size? Wow.
Crow? Just stating facts.. And in this case relevant facts.
Knowing how to spell Cincinnati is an important skill
Like spelling Mississippi.
It was in the 70’s
To go 3-4 on a west coast trip against the Dodgers and Pads without Gray, Edman, Carlson, and Nootbaar while Arenado and Gorman seem to have forgotten the season has started, should be commended.
How times have changed in St. Lousy….
That trip was better than I expected given the injuries.
This One Belongs to a Moron continues to defy logic. You’re blaming Krall for a player hyperextending his elbow on a very cold and windy night along with players diving for balls on conditioning?? Players dive every game. No one gets hurt. The Reds get 3 players starting nice you count Arroyo as a very good prospect along with Matt and TJ have this happen to them. That’s all from doing what players all over MLB do. And that’s conditioning?
Is there a village somewhere missing an idiot?
I’m guessing Mayville, KY, or Yellow Springs, OH. Both villages are near Cincinnati and recently reported their idiots missing.