Last-minute lineup change for Reds' minor-league tuneup offers favorable injury news

On Tuesday, the Cincinnati Reds play an exhibition games at DayAir Ballpark against some of the organization's top minor-league talent. It'll be a spirited tuneup for the 2025 regular season, and many notable names are among those who'll take the field.

Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and other Reds regulars will face off against a cadre of minor leaguers, including Will Benson, Tyler Callihan, Rece Hinds, and Noelvi Marte. But the minor-league team will also have a major leaguer in their dugout.

Edwin Rios was originally announced as the minor league team's designated hitter, but Spencer Steer will now be the DH on Tuesday night in Dayton. Steer was left off the Reds Opening Day roster, but one can assume that if he's able to swing the bat in a live game, it won't be much longer until he's back on the active roster.

Last-minute lineup change for Reds' minor-league tuneup offers favorable injury news

For the first time ever, Steer will be placed on the injured list. The Reds' most versatile fielder injured his shoulder last season and the lingering effects took him out of Cactus League at the end of February. Steer received a cortisone shot during spring training, but it wasn't enough to put the 27-year-old in position to return to the lineup in time for Opening Day.

But on Tuesday, Steer will be in the lineup, just in a different dugout. Steer, who produced a 20/20 season for Cincinnati last year, has maintained that it's throwing, not hitting that was irritating his right shoulder. Steer has begun a throwing program, but Reds manager Terry Francona has been adamant that an artificial timeline (Opening Day) would not dictate his status.

The Reds are able to backdate Steer's placement on the IL, meaning that the minimum number of days he'll have to miss is seven. Steer will join Tyler Stephenson, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson, Alexis Diaz, and Julian Aguiar on the IL at the outset of the 2025 season, but if probably the first one fans should expect to return to the field.

With Steer and Stephenson out of action to begin the season, the Reds still have a couple decisions to make before Opening Day. All but two spots have been filled, and the trio of Stuart Fairchild, Blake Dunn, and Jacob Hurtubise continue to wait. The Reds have until Thursday to make final cuts and announce their Opening Day roster.

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