Forgotten Reds slugger could steal playing time from Joey Wiemer down the stretch

No one knows exactly what position the Cincinnati Reds will be in by September 1st. The Reds' season could be all but over, or perhaps a late-season surge sees them in the thick of the playoff hunt.

But when roster expand on September 1st, the Reds will have a number of talented young players to choose from. Unlike the good ole days, teams can only add one position player and one pitcher when rosters inflate from 26 to 28 players.

Joey Wiemer, a player the Reds acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers at this year's trade deadline, would seem like a possible addition. But Nick Martini could be making his way back to the lineup in early-September, and could steal playing time away from Wiemer.

Forgotten Reds slugger could steal playing time from Joey Wiemer down the stretch

Martini was up and down between the major and minor leagues this season. The left-handed slugger opened the Reds' season with a home run in his first at-bat, and was on fire during the first week-plus of the 2024 campaign. But Marinti's hot-streak turned cold, and he was optioned back to Triple-A.

The 34-year-old suffered a thumb injury just before the All-Star break that landed him on the IL. The Reds eventually moved Martini to the 60-day IL, meaning that he can't officially return to the Reds' active roster until the second week of September.

Martini has yet to begin a rehab assignment after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament that he suffered while diving back into second base back on July 6th. But depending on how the rest of the Reds' season plays out, Martini could definitely receive some playing time over the final few weeks of the 2024 season.

Wiemer made a brief appearance in the big leagues after the trade while Will Benson was on the paternity list. The 25-year-old played in two games for the Reds already this season and drew a walk in his lone plate appearance.

Since joining the Louisville Bats, Wiemer is hitting just .095/.192/.095. Those numbers won't get you a September call-up, whether Martini is on the active roster or not. Wiemer will need to make some improvements in the next couple of weeks if he hopes to rejoin the big league roster before the 2024 season comes to a close.

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