1 Reds player bound to see more time in the outfield once Donovan Solano returns
The Cincinnati Reds have a penchant for turning infielders into outfielders. We've seen it with Nick Senzel and Max Schrock, and I've got a feeling it won't be long before we see Matt Reynolds spending more time on the outfield grass.
Donovan Solano is slated to return to the Reds lineup as early as Tuesday. We've already talked about how Cincinnati will look to fit Solano on the active roster, but the veteran infielder is bound to affect more than just the Reds' roster construction.
Solano was signed to a one-year/$4.5M contract during the offseason. Solano can play all of the diamond, but for the most part he's most comfortable at second and third base. Unfortunately, the Reds have a lot of those guys on this year's team.
Look for Matt Reynolds to move to the Reds OF when Donovan Solano returns.
Brandon Drury, Mike Moustakas, Matt Reynolds, and Max Schrock can all line up at both second ad third base. You can go ahead and throw in Jonathan India and Nick Senzel for good measure as both players saw time at the keystone and the hot corner during their time in the minor leagues.
But when Solano returns to the Reds lineup, David Bell is going to have some decisions to make. How will the Cincinnati Reds skipper evenly distribute playing time. With Aristides Aquino, Tyler Naquin, and Jake Fraley on the IL, Bell is going to need some help in the outfield. But who's he going to turn to?
Look for Matt Reynolds to get the call. The former New York Mets infielder has seen time in both center and right field this season, and I'd expect to see that all the more once Solano makes his Reds debut this week.
The 31-year-old Reynolds has made the most of his opportunity this season. Hitting .262/.324/.381 and playing solid defense, Reynolds has turned himself into a rather indispensable member of this year's Reds ball club.
In his five major league seasons, Reynolds has spent a grand total of 63 innings in the outfield with five of his seven starts coming in left field. With an outfield comprised of the right-handed hitting Nick Senzel, Tommy Pham, and Albert Almora Jr., I don't expect the right-handed hitting Reynolds to draw many starts. But fans could see Reynolds take over in the outfield midway through a game.
Both Matt Reynolds and Brandon Drury has been solid pickups for the Cincinnati Reds this season, and I'd look for David Bell to find creative ways to keep veterans in game-shape by giving them opportunities they might not otherwise receive. With Donovan Solano coming back, look for Reynolds to find some time in the outfield.