Reds centerfielder Nick Senzel to play multiple positions once rehab assignment begins

Reds fans have known for a couple weeks now that Nick Senzel would not be part of Cincinnati's Opening Day roster. The former first-round pick suffered an injury near the end of last season and has been rehabbing during the offseason.

Senzel made his spring debut on Wednesday night, coming off the bench in the seventh inning and logged some innings in center field. Senzel went 0-for-1 and reached base on an error.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell laid out the plan for Senzel's rehab. The 27-year-old is expected to begin the season on the 10-day IL and begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville next week. But Senzel won't just be playing center field.

Reds CF Nick Senzel to play multiple positions once rehab assignment begins.

The Cincinnati Reds are finally taking the necessary steps with Nick Senzel and will allow him to play all over the field. According to The Athletics' C. Trent Rosecrans, Senzel will see time in center field, but also second and third base.

Moving Senzel from being the team's everyday centerfielder and turning him into a super utility player is 100-percent the correct call from the Reds front office and coaching staff. Senzel, who's an infielder by trade, adds more value to the team by playing mutiple positions.

Third base is also a bit of mystery at this point in time. While Spencer Steer will likely open the season at the hot corner, there've been concerns all spring about his defensive struggles. While his bat has been very good, the same cannot be said about Steer's glove.

In the end, Senzel's success on the field will be determined by his ability to stay healthy. It's terribly annoying that the conversation always comes back to Senzel's inability to stay on the field, but that's simply the reality of the situation.

If Nick Senzel actually stays healthy and plays up to the lofty expectations that have been heaped upon him since the day he was drafted in the first-round, then the Cincinnati Reds may really have an unexpected weapon to deploy all over the diamond.