Cincinnati Reds: Derek Dietrich hit by pitch during rehab assignment

In typical Derek Dietrich fashion, the Cincinnati Reds slugger was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat of a rehab assignment.

It didn’t take Derek Dietrich to get back in the swing of things. Dietrich, on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville after suffering a shoulder injury several weeks ago, was hit by a pitch during his first at-bat last night. The Cincinnati Reds slugger finished the game going 2-for-4 with a strikeout and two runs scored.

Being hit by a pitch is nothing new for Dietrich. He leads the league after being plunked 23 different times this season. Dietrich led the league back in 2016 as well after being hit by a pitch 24 times. While some might argue that it’s part of Dietrich’s game, it’s a painful way to get on base.

Dietrich has been sidelined with inflammation in his left shoulder since August 5th. Hopefully, the left-handed slugger can get back to where he was back during the spring. Dietrich was the talk of town back in May when he was tearing up the competition to the tune of .301/.400/.841 with 12 home runs and 22 RBIs.

But, a severe downturn in June and July relegated Dietrich to a bench player. In 42 games during the heat of the summer, Dietrich slashed just .144/320/.278 with 36 strikeouts. In fact, Dietrich drew only 11 walks while being hit by a pitch 14 different times during that span.

Dietrich is in a precarious spot if he does not return to form. The 30-year-old Cleveland native took over Reds Country after his first home run this season gave the Reds an Opening Day victory. However, things have taken a turn over the past two months and Dietrich’s presence on the Opening Day roster next season is a major question mark.

With young guns like Josh VanMeter, Aristides Aquino, Phillip Ervin and even Brian O’Grady gaining playing time at the major league level, one can assume that Dietrich’s spot on next year’s roster is far from a lock.

Dietrich was brought in as a utility player. He shined on the biggest stage, but quickly faded. Though he’s under team control for one more season, it’s hard to see the Cincinnati Reds retaining Dietrich’s services if he doesn’t show some semblance of the player he was at the beginning of the season.