The Cincinnati Reds have rejuvenated their roster and are expected to be, at the very least, an exciting team to watch this season. Although, one key piece of their offense will be on the shelf to begin the season, and that is second baseman Scooter Gennett. The Reds' All-Star suffered a severe right groin strain earlier this week and will reportedly be out 8-12 weeks. The incident occurred on Friday as he was making a play on a ground ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal of the Milwaukee Brewers. Gennett underwent an MRI on Saturday, and is expected to be out until the summer.
Reds manager David Bell admitted that Gennett is "in a lot of pain," as he now focuses on moving around his lineup before Thursday's season opener at Great American Ballpark against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds are expected to move Jose Peraza over from shortstop to second base, and use newly-signed shortstop Jose Iglesias on Opening Day. The former Detroit Tiger veteran was signed on February 23rd, and is now looking like a very smart move for depth purposes.
Gennett was added to the Reds roster when they claimed him off waivers before the 2017 season, and he has since bee one of their most consistent threats. In his time with the Reds, Gennett has become the first major league player to have four home runs, five hits, and 10 RBIs in a game. He also led the majors with four grand slams last season, joining Lou Gehrig as the only two to have a four-home run game and four-grand slam season under their belt.
He was an All-Star for the first time in his career last season, and now has 50 home runs and 189 RBI over the past two seasons. That has him in the same conversation as Dave Parker and Deron Johnson as the only Reds players to have those numbers in their first two seasons with the team. The veteran was second behind Christian Yelich of the Brewers with a .310 average for the National League batting crown, but will now have to overcome his first major hurdle since joining Cincinnati.
Reds manager David Bell admitted that Gennett is "in a lot of pain," as he now focuses on moving around his lineup before Thursday's season opener at Great American Ballpark against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds are expected to move Jose Peraza over from shortstop to second base, and use newly-signed shortstop Jose Iglesias on Opening Day. The former Detroit Tiger veteran was signed on February 23rd, and is now looking like a very smart move for depth purposes.
Gennett was added to the Reds roster when they claimed him off waivers before the 2017 season, and he has since bee one of their most consistent threats. In his time with the Reds, Gennett has become the first major league player to have four home runs, five hits, and 10 RBIs in a game. He also led the majors with four grand slams last season, joining Lou Gehrig as the only two to have a four-home run game and four-grand slam season under their belt.
He was an All-Star for the first time in his career last season, and now has 50 home runs and 189 RBI over the past two seasons. That has him in the same conversation as Dave Parker and Deron Johnson as the only Reds players to have those numbers in their first two seasons with the team. The veteran was second behind Christian Yelich of the Brewers with a .310 average for the National League batting crown, but will now have to overcome his first major hurdle since joining Cincinnati.
