Spencer Steer hit during a minor league Spring Training game on Thursday, marking his first game action of any type since February 27. Despite this step forward, the bothersome right shoulder that has sidelined Steer for much of camp will result in a season-opening placement on the injured list, Reds manager Terry Francona told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon and other reporters today.
Because Steer’s shoulder problem only causes him discomfort while throwing, he had expressed some hope that he could break camp with the Reds in a DH-only capacity, allowing him to play while letting his shoulder fully heal up. However, Francona said Steer was understanding of the roster situation, as “being a full-time DH probably isn’t best for him or our team.” Steer will head north with the Reds and continue his work in simulated-game scenarios until the minor league season begins and he can start a proper rehab assignment.
The IL placement doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given how little Steer has played this spring and how his shoulder problem also bothered him for much of the 2024 season. Specifically, the injury causes Steer to feel a twinge whenever he rears back to throw, though multiple tests and scans haven’t revealed anything structural at the root of this discomfort. Steer received a cortisone shot this spring and was shut down entirely for over a week in order to let the shot take effect.
After an impressive rookie season for Cincinnati in 2023, Steer’s production took a step back last year, as he hit .225/.319/.402 with 20 home runs over 656 plate appearances. On the defensive front, Steer played mostly as a left fielder and first baseman, while also chipping in for a few cameo appearances as a right fielder, second baseman, and shortstop. Steer also saw a lot of time as a third baseman during the 2022-23 seasons.
It remains to be seen exactly how the Reds will deploy Steer in 2025, but his overall defensive utility underscores important it is that he can return to work on the diamond. A return to form at the plate would also help, and while Steer has said that his shoulder problem didn’t impact his hitting, it seems like there might’ve been some correlation between his lingering injury and his downturn at the plate.
Offseason signing Austin Hayes figures to get most of the left field work in Steer’s absence, while Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand look to handle first base, with CES also in line to act as the designated hitting. Candelario is also expected to be part of a crowded mix of third base candidates, as Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal will also be getting playing time at the hot corner.
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