Spring training is usually a time of optimism, but for the Cincinnati Reds in 2019, it marked the beginning of an unexpected series of setbacks. Scooter Gennett, coming off his first All-Star appearance in 2018, was expected to be a key part of the Reds’ lineup as they geared up for Opening Day. His contributions at the plate and his infectious energy had become crucial to the team, but an unexpected groin injury during spring training shifted everything.
The injury, which occurred during what seemed like a routine defensive play in late March, was severe enough to sideline Gennett for nearly three months. The Reds, already trying to assert themselves as contenders in the National League Central, were suddenly thrust into a difficult spot.
Without Gennett, the Reds were forced to adjust their infield lineup. Jose Peraza, who had originally been slated for other duties, was moved to second base. Though Peraza had shown flashes of promise at the plate, trying to replace Gennett's production was a tall order. The Reds’ depth was tested early, and players who weren’t used to an everyday role struggled to hold their own.
Reds History: Spring training injury to All-Star Scooter Gennett torpedos Cincy's promising season
The offense suffered without Gennett’s bat in the lineup, and it quickly became clear that his absence loomed large. Missing the power and consistency Gennett had brought the previous season—23 home runs and 92 RBI—the team struggled to find momentum at the plate. With the pitching staff receiving little run support, the Reds’ season quickly turned from hopeful to frustrating.
By early June, Gennett had yet to appear in a single game, and his return remained uncertain. With Derek Dietrich stepping up as a key contributor, manager David Bell had a tough balancing act—trying to reintegrate Gennett into the lineup without disrupting Dietrich’s success.
June 6, 2017: Scooter Gennett becomes the 17th player, and first Red, in MLB history to hit four home runs in one game. 🛴 #RedsVault pic.twitter.com/RIZsdygEwd
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 6, 2021
When Gennett finally made his return in late June, it was clear the Reds had already fallen behind in the playoff race. His presence added a spark, but he never quite returned to form. The lingering groin injury and lost time at the plate kept him from reaching his previous All-Star level production. By July, with their playoff hopes dimming, the Reds traded Gennett to the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline—a sad but inevitable end to what had once seemed like a bright chapter in Cincinnati.
Looking back, Gennett’s injury was a defining moment not just for the Reds’ 2019 season but also for his career. Once poised to be a cornerstone of Cincinnati's rebuild, the injury disrupted his All-Star trajectory, and he struggled to find his footing in the majors after the trade.
For Reds fans, the “what if” of it all remains: what if Gennett had stayed healthy? Could he have pushed the team into playoff contention? Could he have cemented himself as a franchise fixture? While we’ll never have those answers, the spring training setback serves as a potent reminder of how quickly everything can change in baseball. One moment, the team is filled with high hopes; the next, it’s scrambling to make up for an unexpected loss.