Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day roster was once again impacted by injuries

The Cincinnati Reds watched how injuries across the roster impacted who headed east to Cincinnati.

With injuries to Zack Cozart and Dilson Herrera early in spring training both may have started the season somewhere besides the major league roster for the Cincinnati Reds. Jose Peraza had already moved from utility player to second base with the trade of Brandon Phillips. The Reds may have needed to find another middle infielder, but Cozart was healthy enough just in time.

Cozart injured his knee going down the stretch last season. He was shutdown early and came into camp with some lingering tendinitis. Now the question is if he will be able to play everyday for the rest of his career.

Herrera was scheduled to join Asdrubal Cabrera as a back-up infielder on Team Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic. He entered camp with a shoulder injury that prevented him from throwing early in camp. That meant that he was out of the WBC and out of the running to partner with Peraza regardless of Cozart’s situation.

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With Cozart and Herrera potentially out for opening day, the door opened for Arismendy Alcantara to make the team. It appeared that he had lost his roster spot with the signing of veteran Ryan Raburn. Instead, Alcantara ended up as the back-up Opening Day shortstop with Scooter Gennett taking on the role intended for Dilson Herrera. Peraza and Gennett have already started several games together this year for the Reds.

There are injuries to positions beyond the middle infield for the Cincinnati Reds in 2017.

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The other greatest injury to watch is that of Devin Mesoraco.. He is coming back from a pair of hip injuries after missing most of the past two seasons. Mesoraco has had injury problems dating all the way back to 2014. Now Mesoraco needs to be able to catch nine innings.

With Mesoraco down to start spring training the Reds played Rob Brantly, Stuart Turner, Tucker Barnhart, and Joe Hudson, while Shawn Zarraga was off playing in the WBC. Turner showed off his bat, while Brantly showed his pitch calling off. The pitching didn’t look good, but three catchers could stay on the roster, if Mesoraco ever gets ready to return. With Mesoraco on the DL Barnhart and Turner are doing all of the catching.

On the pitching staff the most alarming injury during spring training was that of Nick Travieso. His injured shoulder made it impossible for him to be ready to start by opening day. It did give Cody Reed a chance to make the Reds as the long reliever, once Bronson Arroyo was announced as the fifth starter.

There are always injuries that are discovered right before the season starts and early on during the season. Those injuries also impacted the roster. The Reds have depth. The injuries could continue among the starting pitchers where Homer Bailey, Rookie Davis, and Anthony DeSclafani have already joined Travieso on the DL. Then the Reds will need even more pitching.

Next: It's nearly time for Brandon's last good-bye

The Reds have to remain flexible. Many players could play for them throughout this season. Between injuries and trades many different combinations could start games. The hope is that it leads to a stronger team for 2018.

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