Spencer Steer chose to receive a cortisone shot in his right shoulder after an evaluation from team doctors today, the Reds announced to the media (including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer). As a result, Steer was removed from the lineup for the Reds’ Spring Training game today, and he’ll be out of action for a few days while the shot takes effect.
The lingering issue has bothered Steer since last season, and he recently described the issue to reporters as a tweak within his right shoulder whenever is preparing to throw. Steer said he doesn’t feel any discomfort while hitting, though it is fair to wonder if this shoulder problem contributed to the dropoff in production between Steer’s 2023 and 2024 seasons. Steer batted .271/.356/.464 with 23 homers over 665 plate appearances in 2023, but then followed up by hitting only .225/.319/.402 in 656 PA, though he still cracked 20 home runs.
A change in batted-ball luck (.318 BABIP in 2023 and a .260 BABIP in 2024) might have been a larger factor, as Steer’s other advanced metrics between the two seasons are pretty similar. The larger change in regards to throwing was that Steer played much more regularly in left field last season than he did in 2023, so the longer throws may have put more stress on his shoulder.
Multiple MRI scans haven’t revealed any structural damage, and Steer has still felt good enough to play as a designated hitter in Cincinnati’s spring action to date. However, the simple fact that Steer’s shoulder is still bothering him even after an offseason of rest is naturally some concern, and the cortisone shot can hopefully correct the problem once and for all.
There hasn’t been any suggestion that Steer’s injury might cause him to miss any time during the regular season, or that the Reds’ decision to DH him is based on necessity rather than precaution on the team’s part. The injury does add yet another wrinkle within a roster full of question marks for Cincinnati, as the Reds are coming off a disappointing 77-85 season marred by injuries and under-performance from several key players (Steer included).
Heading into 2025, Steer was expected to contribute at both corner infield slots and in left field, though exactly how the playing time will be divvied up between these positions and the DH spot has yet to be determined. The newly-acquired Gavin Lux looks to be the Reds’ top option at third base, while Jeimer Candelario is looking to bounce back from a tough 2024 season as part of the corner infield mix, plus Christian Encarnacion-Strand could play first base or DH.
Reds have like five guys that are legitimate hitters, and Steer is definitely a guy that can be a difference-maker for them.
With all the injuries the Reds had last year it amazes me how players like Steer don’t address injuries during the off season to be ready for the season . Just seems avoidable but Steeer isn’t the only player that is caught in this situation
They just play video games in the offseason so they don’t feel any shoulder tweak.
exactly what I was thinking a few sentences into this story, especially when being reminded that this was an issue carry-over from last year. if the player won’t volunteer to have it checked at least monthly with throwing/hitting to simulate game conditions, so treatment and rehab can be done in the 6 MONTHS they aren’t required to work, then the organization(if it cares about wins/losses) should step in and make it part of contracts
When you’re told by the doctors that it could heal with rest OR you might need surgery that will result in missing part of the season, it’s not hard to understand choosing resting it.
And this isn’t (yet) China or Russia where the sports federations make the choices about the athlete’s bodies …
I always hated those shots. Hope it helps him, though what about the CAUSE?
I agree. Those shots just reduce the pain, they don’t help solve the problem. Masking the pain and continuing doing things that aggravate or extend the problem just doesn’t sound too smart to me.. Going all off season and not finding the root cause is likewise not too smart. The Reds for whatever reason have entirely too many injuries.