Spencer Steer absent from Reds lineup & David Bell experiments with leadoff hitter

Okay, when Spencer Steer was given a day off during the Cincinnati Reds road trip, few if any fans batted an eye. He needed a day off, right? But when Steer was absent from Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a couple eyebrows were raised.

Steer came on late in the game as a pinch hitter, but after reaching base safely, the Reds' left fielder headed back to the dugout and was replaced by Jacob Hurtubise. Then came David Bell's not-so-reassuring comments after the game that Steer was dealing with a sore ankle.

But with an off-day in between, is it now time to hit panic button with Steer is not in the Reds starting lineup for the team's first game of the upcoming series against the the San Diego Padres? Not quite. According to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Steer is available off the bench for Tuesday's game.

Spencer Steer absent from Reds lineup & David Bell experiments with leadoff hitter

With Steer out of the lineup and Nick Martini back from Triple-A Louisville, Bell has a few decisions to make. With both Jonathan India and Will Benson struggling in the leadoff spot, Bell went with a new face for Tuesday night's game against the Friars.

Hurtubise will get the party started as the Reds return home to Great American Ball Park. Elly De La Cruz will bat second with Jeimer Candelario hitting third. Jake Fraley will be back in right field and bat cleanup.

Tyler Stephenson will be hanging the signs for Andrew Abbott tonight with Mike Ford shifting from the third spot in the batting order all the way down to sixth. India will bat seventh and play second base while Santiago Espinal will man the hot corner. Finally, Benson will bring up the rear and bat ninth while also staking out center field.

The Reds have lost seven of their last 10 games, but the upcoming homestand gives Cincinnati a chance to make up some ground in the NL Central. Can the Reds finally put the losing in the rear view mirror?

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