David Bell inserted backup catcher Aramís García as the Cincinnati Reds designated hitter during Tuesday evening's game against the San Diego Padres. When Tyler Stephenson was lost for the game following a collision with Luke Voit, Bell had big problem on his hands.
García had to don the tools of ignorance and set up behind the plate for the remainder of the game. Once García was designated as the team's catcher, the Reds lost their DH. To make matters worse, Stephenson was slotted behind Joey Votto in batting order.
So after a first-inning collision put Stephenson into concussion protocol, the fifth spot in the lineup now belonged to the pitcher. Reiver Sanmartin took his cuts in the top of the second inning, grounding out the first baseman. In his second at-bat, Sanmartin struck out.
David Bell should no longer use the Reds backup catcher as the DH.
Throughout the night, the Cincinnati Reds were essentially playing a man down. Reiver Sanmartin led off in the second and fifth inning. He was replaced by Dauri Moreta on the mound, and then J.T. Riddle made his Reds debut with a pinch hit opportunity in the top of the seventh inning.
The ninth inning saw Nick Senzel return to the field for the first time since last Tuesday. The former first-round pick had been sidelined with a stomach illness. He lined out to Padres right fielder Wil Myers in his lone at-bat.
Tyler Stephenson suffered a concussion following the collision with Luke Voit and was placed on the seven-day IL. This will likely lead to Mark Kolozsvary's promotion to the big league roster. Kolozsvary was called up last season, but never made his major league debut.
An already crippled Cincinnati Reds roster added another name to the Injured List last night. After placing Mike Moustakas and Jonathan India on the IL prior to the game, Reds manager David Bell will now be without his starting catcher.
The Shohei Ohtani rule states that a pitcher who is in the starting lineup as a hitter can remain in the game as the DH after being pulled from the mound. But it doesn't work the other way around. Never again should Bell utilize his backup catcher as the team's DH.