GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Spencer Steer has tested his right shoulder this week with throwing, and just on Thursday, began hitting in a Minor League game. Could that be enough for the Reds' infielder/outfielder to continue holding the door open to begin the regular season on time?
¡°Hitting-wise, for sure, I can be ready for the season. We¡¯ll just see what happens," Steer said on Friday morning. "I wouldn¡¯t be ready to play a position. It would just be DH, but I feel like I¡¯d be ready for that.¡±
Steer, 27, went 0-for-2 with a walk in the Minor League game. It was his first game action of any kind since Feb. 27. He received a cortisone injection on March 1 and didn't resume taking any swings until March 12.
¡°I think he was a little tired, which was to be expected. Not tired, just like fatigued is the right word," manager Terry Francona said. "He¡¯s coming through everything. He¡¯s doing a good job. He¡¯s doing everything in his power to just have a good day every day. He¡¯s trying his [butt] off.¡±
On Friday, Steer took more swings against Reds reliever Scott Barlow during live batting practice.
The shoulder was an issue for Steer throughout last season, but he still played 158 games -- mostly in left field and at first base. He batted .225 with a .721 OPS, 20 home runs and a team-leading 92 RBIs. Multiple MRIs revealed no structural damage, but offseason rehab and strengthening still didn't successfully reduce the soreness.
Now that the cortisone shot has taken hold, things have progressed in the right direction.
¡°I feel good," Steer said. "Hitting is not a problem at all. Throwing is getting there. I think it¡¯s got a long way to go but I¡¯ve only been throwing for a few days. So far, so good.¡±
Steer estimated he normally gets around 50 at-bats each spring. He¡¯s nowhere near that number at the moment.
¡°Right now, I¡¯ve probably had 20 or so," he said. Only seven of those have been in Cactus League play. "I¡¯m definitely behind in that aspect but sometimes, it¡¯s all it takes.¡±
Francona has maintained he wanted to give Steer every possible opportunity to avoid opening the season on the injured list. He has been impressed with how Steer went about his business while unable to throw or hit, from shagging fly balls during batting practice, gathering balls in the bucket and helping out during cut-off and baserunning drills.
How the Reds proceed with Steer has ripple effects on the final two roster spots. Stuart Fairchild, Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise are competing for reserve outfield roles. If Steer is limited to designated hitter only, that could also affect where Jeimer Candelario or Christian Encarnacion-Strand get starts.
¡°I need to spend some time with him just to spend time with him. I did the other day and I was glad I did," Francona said. "We¡¯re trying to line everything up appropriately. Sometimes until you know, I don¡¯t want to waste his time.¡±