MLB Player News

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Senzel (toe) will likely miss the Reds' first handful of Cactus League games while the center fielder begins ramping up, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Though Senzel received a clean bill of health entering the spring following a pair of surgeries to address a fractured toe, the Reds aren't keen on immediately throwing him into the fire during Cactus League play. Instead, Senzel will use the first week or two of camp to take some reps in the outfield and face pitching in a more controlled setting, allowing him to make up to some degree for the time he lost due to injury in 2022. Senzel noted last week that his toe surgeries prevented him from testing out a reworked swing late in the 2022 season and during the offseason, so his upcoming workouts over the next few days should afford him the opportunity to do so. Assuming Senzel experiences no setbacks with his toe and is worked into the spring lineup by early-to-mid-March, he'll be the most likely candidate to open the season as Cincinnati's primary center fielder.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Reynolds is expected to sit out at least the first few games of Cactus League action due to back and knee soreness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's unclear when the issues first surfaced for Reynolds, but he'll have a delayed start to camp as a result. The 32-year-old was removed from Cincinnati's 40-man roster during the offseason, so a lengthy absence during spring training will significantly affect his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

Escobar was dealing with an off-field family issue last season that impacted his performance, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

"It was really hard," Escobar said this week. "I love baseball and respect my teammates. My problems are my problems. And I try to separate my problems from the job. But it was really hard throughout the season, especially when you're coming to a big team as a new player. It led to trying too much." The 34-year-old still slugged 20 home runs in 2022 for the fifth time in his career, but his .725 OPS was his lowest over a full season since 2016. The issue got dealt with in August, and Escobar's .321/.385/.596 slash line in September and October suggests he regained his focus in spades. He has extra incentive to rebound in 2023 as well -- prospect Brett Baty will be pushing for the starting job at third base this summer, and Mets owner Steve Cohen could potentially pursue free-agent-to-be Manny Machado next winter.

The Padres placed Rosario (ankle) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The move frees up a 40-man roster spot while Rosario, aiming for a midseason return from a broken ankle, continues his recover. Rosario had only six plate appearances in his big-league debut last season and, considering San Diego's remarkable infield depth, it might take some injuries for him to find MLB playing time in 2023.

Kieboom (elbow) is expected to be limited to DH duties in the Nationals' early slate of Grapefruit League games, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Kieboom missed the entire 2022 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, and the Nats are going to ease him into action this spring. He's doing overhand throws from third base but has yet to try sidearm throws or backhand plays. The 25-year-old will likely open the season at Triple-A Rochester as he rounds out his ability to again man the hot corner.

Senzel is back to full health following offseason toe surgery and will enter spring training as the frontrunner for the Reds' starting center fielder role, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "If he's healthy, he's going to play," Bell said Tuesday. "What I told Nick is get yourself ready to play center, but also as our team settles in, we are going to move him around a little bit, let him play some infield, prepare him to play corner positions in the outfield, so we have some flexibility there."

Senzel may be facing a make-or-break season with the Reds, as he could find himself off the 40-man roster if he's unable to solidify himself as the everyday center fielder or emerge as a useful bench piece. Through parts of his first four seasons in the big leagues, Senzel has managed a lowly .240/.303/.360 slash line in 1,036 plate appearances while missing extensive time with an assortment of injuries. In an effort to jumpstart his career, Senzel told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer that he'll be experimenting with a swing change in spring training, so his results during Cactus League play may be worth keeping an eye on.

De La Cruz will focus on shortstop this spring, despite playing some third base last season and in winter ball, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds have a slew of shortstop prospects acquired through the draft, via international signings like De La Cruz, and in the trade market the last two seasons, so they'll have to sort out who ultimately sticks at shortstop and who moves elsewhere. For now, De La Cruz remains at short, but due to his size, he could move over to third eventually.

Senzel (toe) told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic on Tuesday that his surgically repaired left foot is "good."

Senzel has undergone multiple surgeries for a troublesome fracture in his left toe and is hoping to be able to put that issue fully behind him in 2023. He will be eased along in Reds camp this spring, but Rosecrans notes that the 27-year-old outfielder is "in great shape" about six weeks out from Opening Day.

Senzel (toe) has spent most of the offseason wearing a walking boot, and it's unknown if he'll be ready for the start of the 2023 season, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel missed the final few weeks of the year after he fractured a toe in his left foot in September. He's undergone two surgeries on the toe, as the first operation was unsuccessful. The 2016 second overall selection slashed .231/.296/.306 with five homers in his 420 plate appearances in 2022, but despite his struggles at the plate, he has a chance to be a regular for the Reds if he's healthy enough to be on the field.

Rosario will be sidelined multiple months after suffering a fractured ankle while doing sprinting drills during winter ball, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rosario needed surgery to repair the fracture and is expected to be on the shelf until around midseason. Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 5 prospect in the Padres' system, Rosario had been slated to compete in spring training for a reserve role. The 23-year-old went 1-for-5 at the plate during a cup of coffee with San Diego last season.