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The Reds' infield depth is running thin in spring training

charlie goldsmith, cincinnati enquirer
·5 min read
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GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Before spring training, the Cincinnati Reds signed infielders Tony Kemp and Josh Harrison to solidify their infield depth. But both players had opt-out clauses in their contracts before the end of spring training, and Kemp and Harrison have both elected free agency.

Now, the Reds’ organizational infield depth is a cause for concern, especially as Matt McLain battles a shoulder injury.

Los Angeles Angels infielder Cole Fontenelle is caught stealing as the tag is applied by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mark Mathias in the fourth inning during a MLB spring training baseball game, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Cole Fontenelle is caught stealing as the tag is applied by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mark Mathias in the fourth inning during a MLB spring training baseball game, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.

The Reds are currently exploring options that could develop on the waiver wire, the trade market and the free agent market as final roster decisions around MLB take shape.

The current infielders in big league camp are Mike Ford, Nick Martini, Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer and Jeimer Candelario.

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In minor league camp, the Reds have infielder Erik Gonzalez. The 32-year-old has a career .615 OPS in 352 big league games. The other experienced option in minor league camp is Hernán Pérez, who has a career .662 OPS in 651 big league games.

With the way the big league roster stands at the moment, the Reds have Ford and Martini, both first baseman as the infielders on their bench. Steer and India’s versatility can help the Reds keep multiple options available to them, and they both can play three infield positions. If McLain misses any time with his shoulder injury, the Reds would likely need to add another player who can play in the infield onto the big league roster.

Reds' rotation is set for the start of the year

On Tuesday, Reds manager David Bell announced the Reds’ complete Opening Day rotation: Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Martinez and Andrew Abbott.

Bell said that the order isn’t finalized between Martinez and Abbott, and there’s no determination yet on who’s the No. 4 starter versus the No. 5 starter. The Reds’ rotation won’t truly be settled until Nick Lodolo’s return on April 10, when he’s expected to take one of those five spots in the rotation.

Andrew Abbott is set to begin the season as either the No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Brandon Williamson, who was also in the starting rotation mix, will start the season on the injured list as he is dealing with shoulder issues.
Andrew Abbott is set to begin the season as either the No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Brandon Williamson, who was also in the starting rotation mix, will start the season on the injured list as he is dealing with shoulder issues.

Brandon Williamson, who posted a 3.79 ERA over the last three months of his rookie season in 2023, will start the year on the injured list. He left his most recent spring training start with shoulder soreness, and Bell said that Williamson “will take a step back” to recover from the injury.

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There’s no timeline yet for Williamson’s return. Two years ago, when Williamson struggled in the minor leagues, he said that shoulder troubles were a key factor in a challenging season.

“He doesn’t want to go through that again,” Bell said. “That was part of the reason that we tried to take care of that now.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The Reds' infield depth is running thin in spring training