Reds Beat: Re-Setting Reds Priorities As Nick Lodolo, Matt McLain and Graham Ashcraft Make Strides, Elly De La Cruz On Fire

The biggest objective in spring training for every Major League team is to get ready for the season.

So far, for these Reds with title hopes, it’s been a mixed bag.

Several players are dealing with health-related issues that have impeded their ability to go full speed in Cactus League games or kept them out altogether.

Let’s start with the most pressing issues.

Nick Lodolo (stress reaction left tibia):

The lefty projected to be a top-of-the-rotation starter but has yet to get into a spring game. He’s looked good in bullpens, sides and live batting practice. But the fact that he is seeing a specialist about lingering issues with the stress reaction in his left leg from 2023 is of significant concern. On the bright side, Lodolo threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday against Jonathan India and Matt McLain. Reds manager David Bell said the team would review the results of Lodolo’s visit earlier in the week with a specialist before providing an update. Opening Day, of course, at this point is TBD.

Matt McLain (right oblique):

Anytime you’re dealing with an oblique issue, strain or soreness, extreme caution is advised. The Reds absolutely need their best all-around talent to be on the field. Elly De La Cruz is their most dynamic and flashy player of course. But based on what he showed last year, McLain has the chance to be a future MVP with everything he can bring to the game every day. McLain has been swinging the bat but the Reds will monitor his activity closely once cleared for games. McLain took 70 swings and some ground balls on March 1 before facing Lodolo Wednesday. There’s still no target date for Cactus League games but Bell expects it soon if he responds to live BP without a hitch.

Graham Ashcraft (big toe):

The power right-hander pitched for the third time Wednesday in Peoria, allowing two hits and two runs over three innings against San Diego. The most important part: he felt healthy. Before Tuesday, he was very impressive, striking out two and walking one, allowing one hit over 2 1/3 innings. Again, the Reds are watching Ashcraft very carefully as he returns from a toe injury that required surgery in the offseason. His bullpen work looked good and there have been no hiccups. He is in line to return to the rotation come March 28.

Jonathan India (plantar fasciitis):

Bell said Wednesday that India has remained on a modified running plan after a flare-up of the foot issue that caused him to miss 39 games last season. Bell indicated the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year has plenty of time to be ready for Opening Day and can take extra at-bats without running the bases. Bell views his absence from spring games as a way to control his work load.

Ian Gibaut (right forearm strain):

It’s a good thing the Reds added serious depth to their bullpen. With names like Brent Suter, Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagan, the Reds have plenty of arms to pick up the slack should Gibaut – a key setup piece in the Reds’ pen the last two seasons – not be ready to start the season. Initially, Gibaut was shut down from throwing for 3-5 days after a Feb. 23 MRI revealed a pronator strain his right forearm. He had yet to begin throwing as of Wednesday. Looking more and more like he won’t be ready for March 28. Tejay Antone, Buck Farmer and Fernando Cruz are all strong candidates to pick up the slack should Gibaut not be ready.

Other observations:

Elly on track:

Elly De La Cruz looks to be in good form early in spring. He was a one man-wrecking crew Wednesday against San Diego. He walked twice and singled, stole his first base of spring and scored three times. He’s batting .412 with a 1.310 OPS in eight spring games. The shortstop is getting into form to be sure. Oh yeah, there’s that 470-foot homer last Saturday against Colorado.

Hunting for an Opening Day starter:

Hunter Greene is showing no adverse effects from his hip injury of 2023. Going into Thursday night’s start against the Cubs in Goodyear, Greene has made two starts, allowing three hits and two runs over 4 2/3 innings. His command could use some work. While striking out six, he’s walked four and hit a batter. He’s working on a new breaking ball. He would appear – if healthy – the most logical choice for Opening Day at this point. David Bell has yet to announce the March 28 opener against the Nationals at this point.

Power up:

Tyler Stephenson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Stuart Fairchild each belted their second homers of spring Wednesday against the Padres. All three project to be on the 26-man Opening Day roster.

Suter struggles:

Brent Suter – a veteran lefty signed in the offseason for bullpen depth – has been hit hard this spring. Before Wednesday, he allowed four hits and three runs over just two innings in two appearances, hitting two batters, walking one and striking out three. On Wednesday, he allowed three more hits but just one run, striking out four and walking none over two innings. For a 34-year-old like Suter, there’s no concern about the numbers. Just get the work in. Healthy, he figures to be a huge part of Bell’s bullpen.

Pipeline:

For all teams – but especially for a team like the Reds – developing prospects is critical. And this spring has offered a glimpse of why there’s so much optimism with how Nick Krall and company have built the team. The Reds are overflowing with infield talent. Barry Larkin is fond of saying on Bally Sports telecasts that you can never have enough high quality middle infielders because of their versatility on the roster. The Reds have an abundance. There’s De La Cruz, India, McLain, Marte, Edwin Arroyo and Erik Gonzalez. We haven’t even touched on veterans Jeimer Candelario and Josh Harrison. Arroyo, just 20, has looked fantastic in big league camp and games. He’s batting .417 with an OPS of 1.116. His glove-work has been stellar. Then there’s Sal Stewart, the No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline. The third baseman has worked in minor league camp before getting into a few Cactus League games.

As for the pitching, 21-year-old Rhett Lowder and 20-year-old Chase Petty have shown their tremendous raw talent. They’ll start in the minors but both have shown to be on a fast track, with a Lowder big league debut expected within two seasons, and maybe even this summer.

Latest 26-man Opening Day roster projection for 2024:

Regulars (9):

C: Tyler Stephenson
1B: Christian Encarnacion-Strand
2B: Matt McLain
SS: Elly De La Cruz
3B: Noelvi Marte
LF: Spencer Steer
CF: TJ Friedl
RF: Jake Fraley
DH: Jonathan India

Bench (4):

C Luke Maile
INF Jeimer Candelario
OF Will Benson
OF Stuart Fairchild

Starters (5):

RHP Hunter Greene
RHP Graham Ashcraft
LHP Andrew Abbott
RHP Frankie Montas
RHP Nick Martinez

Relievers (8):

LHP Sam Moll
RHP Lucas Sims
RHP Buck Farmer
RHP Alexis Diaz
RHP Emilio Pagan
RHP Fernando Cruz
LHP Brent Suter
RHP Tejay Antone

IL:

LHP Nick Lodolo
RHP Ian Gibaut

Keep an eye on:

OF Tony Kemp
INF Josh Harrison
RHP Carson Spiers
LHP Brandon Williamson
INF Edwin Arroyo
RHP Rhett Lowder
RHP Chase Petty
LHP Justin Bruihl
LHP Alex Young
RHP Casey Legumina