Reds' unconventional offseason moves shows foresight after Matt McLain injury news

The scuttlebutt all offseason was that the Cincinnati Reds had too many infielders. This was the narrative even before the Reds inked Jeimer Candelario to a three-year, $45 million contract. The story then changed to when are the Reds going to trade Jonathan India. Instead, of shipping the 26-year-old out of Cincinnati, the club signed India to a two-year deal, avoiding arbitration.

And while Nick Krall has been accosted by both fans and the national media for the abundance of infielders now on the team's 40-man roster, the Reds President of Baseball Operations knew exactly what he was doing.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Matt McLain aggravated his oblique taking swings during spring training. According to Reds manager David Bell, the MRI was clean and McLain will take a step back from practice over the next five to seven days.

Reds' unconventional offseason moves shows foresight after Matt McLain injury news

Now before fans begin to pound the table and claim that the Reds need overhaul their entire training staff, understand that these types of injuries happen when players begin ramping up for the season. McLain isn't the only player throughout baseball who has a lingering injury from last season that has slowed his progress this spring.

McLain suffered an oblique strain near the end of August that kept the Reds rookie on the injured list for the remainder of the season. McLain ended his rookie season with an .864 OPS, 16 home runs, and 14 stolen bases. Entering camp, McLain was viewed as the starting second baseman, though India will see time at the keystone as well.

In fact, when the Reds open Cactus League play on Saturday, with McLain out due to injury, it's quite probable that either India or Spencer Steer will the team's starting second baseman. The Reds also have players like Jose Barrero and non-roster invitee Josh Harrison who can field the position as well.

With McLain recovering from an oblique injury, plus India's plantar fasciitis flaring up, and Noelvi Marte slowed due to an offseason hamstring strain, it's a good thing that the Cincinnati Reds added Candelario this offseason, isn't it?