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Williams' inbox: Should injury-riddled Cincinnati Reds bring back Joey Votto, Tommy Pham?

Jason Williams, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham (28) waits for a pitching change during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, July 31, 2022, Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham (28) waits for a pitching change during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, July 31, 2022, Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Ask columnist Jason Williams anything − sports or non-sports – and he’ll pick some of your questions and respond on Cincinnati.com. Email: jwilliams@enquirer.com

Subject: Could banged-up Reds sign Tommy Pham or Joey Votto?

Message: Do you think the Reds are going to add Tommy Pham or another major league hitter with all the injuries. Maybe bring back Joey Votto if he doesn’t make the Blue Jays Opening Day roster?

Reply: The injury-plagued Reds are on the lookout for veteran players being cut from other camps and would consider signing a player.

Hard to see the Reds signing Pham, who at last report was close to a deal with San Diego. The Reds have moved on from Votto as a player.

Fans may want to focus their concern elsewhere, some of which has to do with the injury fallout. Here are three things that should worry Reds fans with Opening Day less than a week away:

∎ Hunter Greene: As he goes, so go the Reds. A breakout season for the right-hander could be the key to pushing the Reds into the playoffs. But Greene has shown few signs in camp of taking the next step. The Reds aren’t paying him to be an inconsistent, four-inning, back-of the-rotation starter.

∎ Up-the-middle fielding: Two of the Reds’ projected three starters here are out – second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) and center fielder TJ Friedl (wrist). And shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s fielding remains shaky. Good thing the Reds didn’t trade second baseman Jonathan India. He’s a downgrade in the field from McLain, but at least India has experience, unlike the projected starters immediately to his left and right. EDLC-India-Friedl's replacement doesn't make for playoff-caliber, up-the-middle defense.

∎ Starting pitching depth: Nick Lodolo’s leg is reportedly fine, and he’s starting the season on the injured list only out of precaution. But no one should count on the left-hander until he proves he can consistently take the ball every five days. Lefty Brandon Williamson also will start the season on the IL. This puts a lot of pressure on the rotation out of the gate. The Reds can’t afford another terrible start to the season, and they’re going to be relying heavily on a guy who pitched less than two innings in 2023 (Frankie Montas) and Greene.

Enough with the concerns.

No matter how down you may be about all the injuries and a few other holes on the team, take heart that Jason Vosler, Kevin Newman, Wil Myers, Jose Barrero and Luis Cessa won’t be on this Opening Day roster.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Should banged-up Cincinnati Reds bring back Joey Votto, Tommy Pham?