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The Reds acquired infielder Santiago Espinal from the Blue Jays for minor league righty Chris McElvain, each groups introduced. Cincinnati has a full 40-man roster however didn’t instantly announce the corresponding transfer.
Buying an infielder every week earlier than Opening Day in all probability wasn’t what the Reds anticipated getting into camp. For a lot of the offseason, it appeared a lot likelier that Cincinnati’s infield depth would cause them to commerce somebody away. That was notably true after they added nook infielder Jeimer Candelario on a three-year free agent pact.
Issues have modified fairly shortly. Prime prospect Noelvi Marte was suspended for 80 video games after a constructive take a look at for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. That cleared on a regular basis third base reps for Candelario, who had beforehand been ticketed for motion between each nook spots and designated hitter. Maybe much more alarming than the Marte suspension was today’s announcement that anticipated second baseman Matt McLain acquired an MRI on his injured left shoulder.
The crew hasn’t offered a timeline on McLain, however supervisor David Bell instructed reporters this night that he wouldn’t be prepared for the beginning of the season. Bell had fairly ominously left open the chance that McLain might require surgical procedure this morning, though the crew hasn’t introduced something on that entrance. The UCLA product is headed for a second opinion earlier than there’ll be an official timetable.
That the Reds went exterior the group for an additional infielder wouldn’t appear to level in direction of them anticipating McLain’s return briefly order. Whereas they await official phrase on his damage, they add a high quality defender who can function a depth piece at any of second base, third base or shortstop.
Espinal, 29, rode a surprisingly sturdy first half to an All-Star choice in 2022. His general observe file suggests he’s extra of a high-end utility participant than a daily on a contender, although. Espinal has plus contact expertise with below-average energy. His profession .273/.331/.367 batting line is true round league common, as measured by wRC+, however he’s coming off a down yr.
The righty-hitting Espinal turned in a .248/.310/.335 slash with two homers over 254 plate appearances final season. He misplaced a pair weeks to proper hamstring irritation however in any other case spent the yr as a flexible infielder off the bench. Espinal noticed most of his motion at second and third base. He has graded as an above-average to plus defender at each spots within the eyes of public defensive metrics. He’s able to taking part in shortstop however wasn’t requested to take action typically in Toronto, the place Bo Bichette has been an on a regular basis lineup fixture for 3 years.
Extra to return.
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