Spencer Steer was asked to cover more ground than ever on Friday, and the Reds needed the answer fast. With Matt McLain landing on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, Cincinnati turned to Steer for his first game in center field at any level.
The move showed how thin the Reds have become in center as injuries pile up. TJ Friedl is their only true center fielder and bats left-handed, while right-handed options Dane Myers and Blake Dunn are both sidelined.
Why Steer ended up in center
Manager Terry Francona said he approached Steer about the idea after seeing McLain was beat up. Francona trusted Steer’s baseball instincts and wanted a right-handed bat in the lineup against lefty starter Shota Imanaga.
Steer said he welcomed the challenge and viewed it as another way to help the club. “Another chance for me to get on the field,” he said before the game, adding that the Reds were going to “let it fly and see what happens.”
Steer has not been a stranger to the outfield grass during pregame work. He said he has often taken fly balls in center because that is where most of the action comes during batting practice.
McLain out, Hayes back at third
McLain’s trip to the injured list opened the door for Ke’Bryan Hayes, who was activated after missing time with a bulging disc in his back. Hayes returned as a Gold Glove defender at third base after being sidelined since May 21.
| Reds roster move | Status | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Matt McLain | Placed on 10-day injured list | Left calf strain |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | Activated from injured list | Returns to third base |
| Spencer Steer | Started in center field | First game there at any level |
Francona said the arrangement was meant to help the Reds get through the All-Star break. That urgency also reflects the status of the other backup center field candidates, with Myers heading to the team complex in Goodyear, Ariz., during the break and Dunn still without baseball activity after a right elbow strain.
Hayes tries to rebuild his swing
Hayes said the time away gave him a chance to slow things down, get his body right and work on hitting mechanics. Before the IL stint, he was batting .142 with a .420 OPS, and he said time at Driveline Baseball in Arizona helped him focus on swing mechanics that put him in front of the ball while reducing stress on his back.
During a five-game rehab assignment with High-A Dayton and Triple-A Louisville, Hayes went 8-for-18 with a home run and four doubles. He said he also built up strength through lifting and felt more comfortable at the plate, even if the minor league competition is not the same as the big leagues.
The Reds now have to see whether Steer’s new assignment can hold together long enough to bridge the gap. For Cincinnati, it is a temporary fix built on versatility, necessity and a roster that still does not have much room to spare.
