Steer, Lowder making progress with ailments

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – A critical day in infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer's efforts to get back into the Reds' lineup came Wednesday morning when he had a bat in his hand and went into the cage to take some swings.

It was the first time Steer had done that since getting a cortisone shot in his bothersome right shoulder on March 1. He took flips in the cage before heading to the weight room.

“It’s been progressing well. Hopefully it continues," Steer said afterwards. “We’re going to come in tomorrow and see how it feels. If it feels good, then keep rolling.”

With just over two weeks to go before Opening Day, it's getting easier to envision Steer beginning the season on the injured list. But he hasn't given up hope.

“I wouldn’t count it out yet, I really wouldn’t. But it’s getting close," said Steer, who has not resumed throwing.

Sticking to what he's been saying throughout the process, manager Terry Francona isn't holding on to Opening Day readiness as the big goal for Steer.

“He’s champing at the bit and I get it. I actually respect it and love it," Francona said. "We just have to do the right thing. We want his shoulder to tell us that – not Opening Day. And I know it’s hard. We’ll just keep watching it. What we don’t want to do is undo the good we’ve done. The good part of that is he’s doing well. That’s what we’re shooting for.”

Because he didn't feel pain while swinging, Steer initially played three games as the designated hitter this spring, but none since Feb. 27. For the same reason, he endured shoulder pain throughout last season but played through it for 158 games.

Steer led the club with 92 RBIs in 2024, while batting .225 with a .721 OPS and 20 home runs.

MRI exams and other tests have repeatedly shown no structural damage or serious issue in the 27-year-old Steer's shoulder. That had made the time it's taking to return a test of his patience.

“Every part of this has taken a lot longer than I thought it would," Steer said. "The hardest part is it’s more muscle function and brain-to-muscle connection more than anything. There’s no timeline on those things. It’s just basically how quickly your body picks it up and you figure it out. That’s probably the most frustrating part of the process. There’s no timeline. It’s just very simple stuff that’s hard to do.”

Lowder making progress

It's already a foregone conclusion that No. 2 prospect and starting pitcher Rhett Lowder won't be ready for the Opening Day roster. After he experienced right elbow discomfort in January, Lowder has been on a slower progression to get ready and has yet to get on a mound.

“It’s going good," said Lowder, who is ranked as the No. 35 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. "I’ll be on the mound here shortly. I don’t know exactly what date. I’m ready to go. It’s up to what they say the plan is.”

Lowder, who turned 23 on Saturday, has been throwing on flat ground for a few weeks since getting cleared by the medical staff.

“Typically, I don’t long-toss super far regularly. But we’re building volume," he said. "I’m throwing every day. I’m pretty built up, going good. I’m taking it day by day until we get on the mound.”

Lowder was expected to be a candidate for the big league rotation this spring after he posted a 1.17 ERA in six starts last season after his Aug. 30 debut.

“He’s dying to pitch, but he’s been extremely mature about it and we appreciate it," Francona said. "We think it’s going to pay dividends.”

Stephenson scratched

Catcher Tyler Stephenson was in Wednesday's original lineup as the DH vs. the Rangers. But he was scratched because of lower-to-middle back pain and was replaced by Blake Dunn.

“He’s going to be fine," Francona said. "It just didn’t seem to make sense to push something through.”