Cincinnati Reds: Three players helped by the delay to the 2020 season

2. Nick Senzel, Centerfielder

The delayed start to the 2020 season could be welcomed news for Nick Senzel. Like Eugenio Suárez, Senzel is recovering from offseason surgery. Before the delay, Senzel was already in the Cincinnati Reds lineup as the team’s designated hitter. The added time away from the game should enable Senzel to fully recover and begin the 2020 season on the active roster.

Senzel’s rookie season was marred by injury. The 24-year-old played just 104 games, though he was held back at the beginning of the season due to concerns over service time. Still, Senzel battled injuries and missed little time during the bulk of the season, never going onto the injured list. However, a shoulder injury cost Senzel the final month of the 2019 season.

Senzel suffered a torn labrum that required surgery. Last year’s rookie showed up to spring camp on time and was already swinging the bat, showing that the surgery in no way affected his swing. However, Senzel’s spring training was spent rehabbing the injury and he never actually made onto the field.

Nick Senzel has competition this season with the Reds addition of Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama. Akiyama, who has plenty of experience playing center field, is expected to play all over the Cincinnati outfield, sharing time with Senzel and left fielder Jesse Winker. The 2020 season will be an important for Senzel, who needs to prove he can stay healthy.