Reds news: Jonathan India to bat leadoff versus Cardinals

You could feel the momentum building, and David Bell finally pulled the trigger with today’s lineup, inserting second baseman Jonathan India at the top of the Cincinnati Reds batting order. Eugenio Suarez had previously batted leadoff in nine of the past 10 games.

India has been playing exceedingly well of late. After injuries to Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, and Nick Senzel removed the three infielders from the everyday lineup, India received considerably more playing time. More recently, Max Schrock was placed on the 10-day IL, meaning that Bell had little choice but to run India out onto the field as the Reds’ everyday second baseman.

Jonathan India will bat leadoff for the Reds today.

Jonathan India broke into the big leagues this season and was the Cincinnati Reds starting second baseman when the 2021 season began. Lack of production following a red-hot start found India logging fewer and fewer plate appearances. It almost felt like a return to the minor leagues was imminent.

Then, Joey Votto broke his thumb, Mike Moustakas suffered a heel injury, and Nick Senzel landed on the 10-day IL with knee inflammation. Senzel is now slated to be out of action for several weeks following arthroscopic surgery.

India has been the Reds streakiest hitters of late. Affectionately referred to as the Red Sparrow by some fans throughout Reds Country, India has hit .444/.565/.667 over the last seven games. While Nick Castellanos owns a league best 20-game hitting streak, India’s 1.232 OPS over the last seven contests outpaces the right fielder’s 1.093 OPS over the same timeframe.

David Bell has been desperately searching for someone to hit ahead of Castellanos and Jesse Winker in the Cincinnati Reds lineup. We’ve seen Nick Senzel, Tyler Naquin, and most recently Eugenio Suarez try that hand at hitting first in the Cincinnati batting order.

This will mark the first time that Jonathan India has hit first in the Reds lineup. The former first-round pick has typically found a home in the No. 6, 7, or 8 spot in the Cincinnati batting order. Suarez, who’ll be playing third base today, was moved down to the No. 6 spot behind catcher Tucker Barnhart.