Don't hit the panic button over Nick Senzel's recent trip to the Injured List

I know, it's so easy to just roll your eyes and say, "Here we go again." But I don't believe that is the case this time. Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel, who's missed the last four games, was placed on the Injured List on Saturday.

Daniel Duarte was recalled to the club, giving Cincinnati 11 relievers for the time being. Depending on what happens with Senzel and Jonathan India in the coming days. I wouldn't be shocked to see Alejo Lopez added to the active roster in the coming days

Senzel was not given an injury designation, and technically the 26-year-old is on the COVID IL, which allows for no specific number of days. For all we know, Senzel could return to the Cincinnati Reds lineup on Sunday afternoon.

Reds OF Nick Senzel was placed on the Injured List.

As Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported, being placed on the COVID Injured List does not require a player to test positive for COVID-19. In fact, Senzel has not tested positive, but is showing symptoms.

It was also reported that Cincinnati reliever Ryan Hendrix was not feeling well either before the team's flight out to California. Per the Cincinnati Enquirer, after most of their roster was sick for a two-week stretch in Sept. 2019, the Reds have a team rule that they cannot report to the ballpark if they are ill.

So while it's easy to throw out the idea that the former first-round pick has suffered another injury, espeicailly after seeing him collide with fellow outfielder Tommy Pham on Tuesday afternoon, I don't believe that's the case this time.

Nick Senzel has been one of Cincinnati's better players in the early-going of the 2022 season and easily one of the Reds best defenders. As Senzel said before the season began, if he's able to stay healthy, the results on the field will follow.

His absence the past four games is not a good omen, but I'm holding out hope that what we're seeing is exactly what's being conveyed; Nick Senzel is sick, and once he's feeling better, we'll see him back on the field. Perhaps it'll come today in Los Angeles.