Reds News: Spencer Steer update, Cam Collier injury timeline, Luis Mey optioned

The Cincinnati Reds are readying for the upcoming season, and several players look ready to go. Elly De La Cruz is already garnering MVP consideration following his breakout season in 2024, and the Cincinnati faithful are excited to see the returns of Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McLain after both players were sorely missed last season.

But while those three key cogs look to ride the red-hot wave of spring training into Opening Day, another young star has endured a difficult set of circumstances since arriving in Goodyear, Arizona.

Spencer Steer hasn't been on the field in over a week after receiving a cortisone shot in his right shoulder. The talented utility player had been dealing with a shoulder issue since last season, and has yet to throw or play the field since the Cactus League began.

Reds News: Spencer Steer injury update

But Steer sounds somewhat upbeat about his chances to make enough progress over the next two-plus weeks to join his teammates on the Opening Day roster. Reds manager Terry Francona gave an update on Steer's status, saying that team doctors are pleased with his progress.

Steer is expected to resume swinging the bat sometime later this week. If he can do that without any semblance of pain, there's a chance (albeit a small one) that Steer could be added to the Reds Opening Day roster and act as the team's designated hitter to start the year.

Reds News: Cam Collier likely to miss 4-6 weeks with thumb injury

Top Reds prospect Cam Collier will begin his 2025 campaign on the IL. Collier will require surgery after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb during last week's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs.

Collier was a non-roster invite to spring camp this year, and while he wasn't expected to make the Reds Opening Day roster out of spring training, it's certainly a bummer that he'll be sidelined for at least a month while recovering from surgery.

Reds News: Luis Mey optioned to Triple-A

The Reds made several roster cuts last week. Cincinnati sent seven prospects, including Chase Burns and Edwin Arroyo, back to minor-league camp. Non-roster invitee Joe La Sorsa was sent down on Saturday, and on Sunday, he was joined by Reds prospect Luis Mey.

Mey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville and sent down to minor-league camp to finish out his time in Goodyear. The fireballer lit up the radar gun last season and posted a 3.44 ERA in stops with the Dayton Dragons and Chattanooga Lookouts. However, it now looks as if Cincinnati is ready to deploy Mey to the top-tier of the minors after assigning him to the Louisville Bats.

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