Spencer Steer's return is closer than you think based on this Reds lineup adjustment

On Thursday, the Cincinnati Reds answered one of the lingering questions that's been plaguing the club throughout spring training. Andrew Abbott will begin the 2025 season on the injured list.

Fans were holding out hope that the lefty would have enough time to build up his pitch count — something that was necessary if Abbott hoped to make the Reds Opening Day roster. But it wasn't in the cards. Instead, Terry Francona named Carson Spiers the Reds' fifth starter.

But what about Spencer Steer? The Reds versatile infielder/ outfielder has been sidelined since the end of last month after receiving a cortisone shot in his right shoulder. Steer has been working on the backfields recently, and the team has not completely ruled out the idea that the 27-year-old could avoid a trip to the IL. In fact, Fracona's recent Cactus League lineups may offer a clue that Steer's return is closer that you think.

Spencer Steer's return is closer than you think based on this Reds lineup adjustment

Since Sunday, the Reds have played four games, and three times Santiago Espinal has lined up in right field. Francona spoke about the notion of getting Espinal's bat in the lineup more often, and moving him from the infield dirt to the outfield grass would provide such an opportunity.

But Jeimer Candelario's spot in the lineup over the past week is also intriguing. Candelario last logged time at first base on Saturday, March 15. Since that time, all his action has come at third base. Now some may scoff at the idea, claiming that Candelario should be the Reds' third baseman. But with the left-handed hitting Gavin Lux likely to get a lot of reps at the hot corner, Candelario was probably ticketed to be the team's DH to start the season.

But this latest insistence to play Candelario at third base could be a signal that Steer may be close to returning. If Steer is going to be part of the Reds Opening Day roster, he wouldn't be playing the field. But he could hit, and that means that Francona may be looking to slot Steer into the DH role at the outset of the season while the trio of Candelario, Lux, and Espinal move all over the diamond.

This is no doubt a "reading the tea leaves" exercise, and may be all for naught. But if Cincinnati has yet to declare Steer out for Opening Day, Reds Country should still hold out hope that he'll be in the lineup next Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors