GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Spencer Steer was scratched from the Reds’ lineup on Saturday after the infielder/outfielder was given a cortisone injection in his bothersome right shoulder.
Steer received the shot after an exam with team orthopedist Andrew Razzano reaffirmed there was no major injury.
"I think it’s a step in the right direction, for sure,” Steer said. “We feel like this was the best move going forward. I’ve been treading water here the last week trying to get back to throwing. So [I’m] hoping this is a step in the right direction [to] get some positive momentum going forward to throwing and getting back on the field.”
Steer, 27, is considered day to day to return to the lineup.
"I think it just depends on how it responds to the injections," he said.
With three weeks remaining until camp breaks, however, manager Terry Francona hinted that Steer not beginning the season on time was among the possibilities.
“We need to discuss the next few days or the next week," Francona said after the Reds’ 7-3 victory over San Diego. "Everybody points to Opening Day, and I get it, myself included. I’m not saying he’s not going to be ready, but we’ve got to do what’s right for him.”
Steer, who came into camp as a possibility to play first base, third base or left field, has been limited to DH all spring because of discomfort from throwing. Shoulder soreness was an issue that bothered him throughout the 2024 season, although he did not feel pain while swinging last year nor during this spring camp.
Although multiple MRI exams in the past have ruled out any significant structural damage in the shoulder, Steer acknowledged that his swinging and throwing mechanics were likely affected by continuing to play.
“I think it’s a lot of inefficiencies from compensation of playing through the injury," Steer said. "I got into a lot of bad habits mechanically. The body is smart. It finds ways to compensate and fight through injuries. It created some bad habits. So really, [I’m] trying to kind of teach the shoulder again how to move properly. I’m going to focus on that for the next week and, hopefully, get back into loading it up and getting the strength back and getting ready to roll.”
Over 158 games in 2024, Steer batted .225 with a .721 OPS, 20 home runs and 92 RBIs while primarily playing left field and first base.
“He played with us last year, and he gutted through it." Francona said. "Doing it again doesn’t seem to make much sense.”
Bullpen shaping up
The Reds appear to have most of their bullpen spots locked up already, and one reliever -- right-hander Tony Santillan -- has gotten a big endorsement from Francona. The manager was asked whether Santillan being out of Minor League options was an issue in the competition.
“He’s not going to have to worry about that. He’s going to pitch for us," Francona said. “From what I’ve seen so far, he can really help us.”
Santillan has two scoreless innings this spring, with two hits, one walk and two strikeouts over two games. Other relievers expected to be part of the bullpen are Alexis Díaz, Emilio Pagán, Sam Moll, Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow and Brent Suter. That leaves one spot up for grabs among many, including Yosver Zulueta and non-roster invitees like Ian Gibaut, Bryan Shaw and Josh Staumont.