Reds quietly dealing with injury issue that might fast-track Sal Stewart’s MLB debut

Fans have been begging Nick Krall and the Cincinnati Reds front office to call up Sal Stewart, and they may soon get their wish. Though most fans have advocated for Stewart to replace the team's underperforming second baseman Matt McLain, a lingering injury to one of the Reds best bats may actually be what gets the young prospect to the big leagues.

Miguel Andujar has been battling a sore quad for the past few games, and if Terry Francona's lineup is any indication of the severity of the injury, it could be a bigger problem than fans are led to believe. Monday marked the third time in four games that Andujar was out of the Reds' starting lineup despite being one of the team's hottest bats.

The Reds acquired Andujar from the Athletics just before the July 31 trade deadline passed. Thought to be a key contributor against left-handed pitching, Andujar has proven to be a force in the middle of the Reds' lineup regardless of who's on the mound. Since coming to Cincinnati, he's hitting .358/.424/.623 with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Miguel Andujar's lingering injury may force the Reds to call up Sal Stewart

Andujar came on to pinch hit for Reds' rookie catcher Will Banfield during the Reds' 6-1 win on Sunday over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Andujar drew a walk, but Francona chose not to pinch run for the slugger, signaling that perhaps the injury won't result in an IL stint.

If Andujar is truly hobbled, the Reds cannot afford to keep him on the active roster, especially when one of the hottest bats in the entire organization is a phone call away. Stewart has done nothing but rake since arriving at Triple-A Louisville last month, and the Reds' top prospect is begging for a call-up to the major leagues.

Stewart is hitting .323/.399/.653 with nine home runs, 29 RBI and a 169 wRC+ since being promoted to Triple-A. Seeing as how Andjuar has acted as the Reds' designated hitter on most nights, selecting Stewart's contract to replace him as the team's DH would offer a seamless transition.

Both McLain and Santiago Espinal can remain on the roster, and Francona doesn't have to worry whether or not Stewart can make the defensive transition to second base. It's a win-win for the Reds and their fanbase.

While losing Andujar's bat would certainly sting, there may not be a better replacement at the moment than Stewart. Tuesday's lineup (or roster announcement) could offer the Reds' fanbase a clue as to what's going to happen next. After being shutout by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, it's obvious that the Reds need a big bat in the lineup to help even the series.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors