Spencer Steer hit during a minor league Spring Training game on Thursday, marking his first game action of any type since February 27. Despite this step forward, the bothersome right shoulder that has sidelined Steer for much of camp will result in a season-opening placement on the injured list, Reds manager Terry Francona told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon and other reporters today.
Because Steer’s shoulder problem only causes him discomfort while throwing, he had expressed some hope that he could break camp with the Reds in a DH-only capacity, allowing him to play while letting his shoulder fully heal up. However, Francona said Steer was understanding of the roster situation, as “being a full-time DH probably isn’t best for him or our team.” Steer will head north with the Reds and continue his work in simulated-game scenarios until the minor league season begins and he can start a proper rehab assignment.
The IL placement doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given how little Steer has played this spring and how his shoulder problem also bothered him for much of the 2024 season. Specifically, the injury causes Steer to feel a twinge whenever he rears back to throw, though multiple tests and scans haven’t revealed anything structural at the root of this discomfort. Steer received a cortisone shot this spring and was shut down entirely for over a week in order to let the shot take effect.
After an impressive rookie season for Cincinnati in 2023, Steer’s production took a step back last year, as he hit .225/.319/.402 with 20 home runs over 656 plate appearances. On the defensive front, Steer played mostly as a left fielder and first baseman, while also chipping in for a few cameo appearances as a right fielder, second baseman, and shortstop. Steer also saw a lot of time as a third baseman during the 2022-23 seasons.
It remains to be seen exactly how the Reds will deploy Steer in 2025, but his overall defensive utility underscores important it is that he can return to work on the diamond. A return to form at the plate would also help, and while Steer has said that his shoulder problem didn’t impact his hitting, it seems like there might’ve been some correlation between his lingering injury and his downturn at the plate.
Offseason signing Austin Hays figures to get most of the left field work in Steer’s absence, while Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand look to handle first base, with CES also in line to act as the designated hitter. Candelario is also expected to be part of a crowded mix of third base candidates, as Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal will also be getting playing time at the hot corner.
Bad news for the Reds. Steer might have taken a step back in 2024 but he was still the fourth most valuable position player by bWAR on an underperforming team. They need him in the lineup.
It sucks, but probably the right decision. He was allowed to play through it last year, and was never himself.
The fact that he had this injury last season and they didn’t properly address it during the off-season is just another indictment on the Reds medical staff. No reason he should have come into spring training still trying to play through it.
Exactly what should they have done? There’s nothing structural to fix. Seems to me his shoulder just can’t handle throwing from the outfield, maybe his arm angle has changed since moving from the infield.
I would imagine he got more than one doctor’s opinion on it, and that rest was one of the potential solutions. At the end of the day it’s the athlete’s body not the team’s.
No surprise and agree with RedlegJason. We have seen this TOO many times.
But I’m sure the worshippers find nothing wrong as usual.
Oh I don’t know losrojos, perhaps whatever they’re doing now to help him get healthy could have been done sooner. Just spitballing.
Is there a timeline when they think he might be ready?
Man, all the commenters are having a cow about Steer’s injury…but I understand their beef. This young man’s career is at steak.
Steer clear, he’s a bum
This one…..
Why is it when someone disagrees with you and has a positive opinion about reds management, staff or medical you drop the word “worshipers”?
I assume you are aware that you occasionally could just be wrong.
Imagine if baseball stopped thinking of players as “healthy” or “hurt” and started using guys like Steer for what they can do. He can’t throw? Fine, let him hit when it counts. Other teams could do this too—say a guy can’t run but can swing, or can’t field but can hustle bases. Instead of a set 26-man roster, you’d have a bigger mix of skills to pick from, using each player like a tool for the right job.
We probably aren’t being told the entire story but if he can DH and not further injure his shoulder that’s what should happen. The lineup is better with him in it.
When he comes back he should play first and CES should DH.
Why in the world would they do that? Is Steer just gonna roll the ball back to the pitcher?