Cincinnati Reds news: Jesse Winker exits after hit-by-pitch

The Cincinnati Reds opened Cactus League action against the Chicago White Sox and Jesse Winker exited the game after being hit by a pitch.

Reports are positive after Cincinnati Reds left fielder Jesse Winker took a pitch from Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Crease off his left wrist in the Cactus League opener. However, it’s definitely not the way that Winker wanted to begin spring ball with his playing time a question mark with the 2020 season set to begin in about a month.

According to a report from Mark Sheldon from MLB.com, Winker told a Reds spokesperson that he was OK. After Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama singled in his first at-bat and Aristides Aquino followed him up with a line drive out to center field, Winker stepped into the batter’s box and took the very first pitch he saw off his left wrist.

Winker immediately left the game and was replaced by Rule 5 Draft pick Mark Payton. With two runners on base an one out, catcher Curt Casali struck out swinging and shortstop Kyle Farmer lined out to center field to end the inning.

Jesse Winker cannot afford any setbacks this spring. After the Reds signed Akiyama and Nick Castellanos this winter, many fans are questioning where Winker fits in the lineup. The Reds left fielder has struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons, ending both the 2018 and 2019 seasons on the injured list.

Matt Davidson, a non-roster invitee who singled in his first at-bat of the game, was also hit by a pitch. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the first pitch from White Sox right-hander Carson Fulmer. Like Winker, Davidson also exited the game. He was replaced by Gavin LaValley, the Cincinnati Reds fourth-round pick of the 2014 MLB Draft.

There were some positives from Sunday’s action as well. As mentioned earlier, outfielder Shogo Akiyama singled in his first at-bat. Akiyama went 1-for-3 in the game. With Nick Senzel still on the mend from shoulder surgery, Akiyama got the start in center field and was the Reds leadoff hitter against the White Sox.

Freddy Galvis was held out of the lineup due to a sore right shoulder, but that allowed Kyle Farmer to get the start at shortstop. Farmer, who came over in the trade from Los Angeles last offseason, saw time all over the field in 2019 and per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, he’s likely to see increased time at shortstop this spring.

Also, Stuart Fairchild, whom the Reds drafted with the 38th overall pick in 2017, smacked a home run to left-center field in the bottom of the eighth inning. That homer closed the gap, but the Reds eventually lost their Cactus League opener to the White Sox by a score of 7-2.