Spencer Steer injury update makes Reds Opening Day roster decisions even easier

Spencer Steer will begin the 2025 season on the injured list. Things were always trending in this direction, but it was made official on Saturday. Steer came into camp with a lingering shoulder ailment, and despite a cortisone shot earlier this spring, the Reds' most versatile fielder will not be available on Opening Day.

Steer becomes the third regular who'll open the year on the IL. In addition to both Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar, who were already scheduled to miss the 2025 season, the Reds will be without Steer, Tyler Stephenson, and Andrew Abbott.

Steer's absence, however brings the final two roster spots into focus. Stuart Fairchild may already be guaranteed a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster due the fact that he has no minor-league options remaining, but his spring performance alone (.147/.256/.206) certainly doesn't warrant inclusion. Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise are also in the mix, and two of these three players will leave Arizona with a ticket for Cincinnati.

Spencer Steer injury update narrows Reds Opening Day roster decisions to Blake Dunn or Jacob Hurtubise

There's a case to be made for all three players, but only two can be part of the Reds Opening Day roster. Conventional wisdom would expect Terry Francona to tab both Fairchild and Dunn seeing as how two of the Reds' injured starters (Steer and Stephenson) are right-handed hitters. Both Dunn and Fairchild can also play all over the outfielder, while Hurtubise is pretty much locked in to being a left fielder.

But Hurtubise has stood out this spring, and has been one of Cincinnati's top performers. He has plenty of speed, plays above-average defense, and is a tremendous contact hitter with a good eye at the plate. In short, he's the type of player Francona loves. That certainly works in his favor, but does Cincinnati really need another left-handed hitting outfielder with Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl already on the Reds Opening Day roster?

Hurtubise's impressive showing this spring is unlikely to be enough to put him over the top. Look for Fairchild and Dunn to grab the final two spots on the Reds Opening Day roster. Steer is already back to swinging the bat, and claims to be good enough to hit. But his inability to play the field at the moment was a key factor in Francona's decision to open the season with Steer on the IL.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors