What looked to be a head-scratcher has turned out to be an eye-opener.
During the offseason, the Cincinnati Reds dipped into the free agent marker and brought in infielder Jeimer Candelario and pitcher Frankie Montas.
What made for a crowded infield and starting staff is slowly turning into major relief for the Reds as they try to formulate an opening day roster.
The Reds have suffered injuries and some legal litigation through spring which makes the highly-questioned offseason moves appear even better.
Third baseman and highly-rated Noelvi Marte received an 80-game ban plus a postseason ban after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.
Next up on the list was starting center fielder and leadoff hitter T.J. Friedl who fractured his right wrist trying to make a diving catch on Saturday.
On Sunday, left-handed pitcher Brandon Williamson complained of a sore shoulder and will now open the season on the injured list instead of the starting rotation.
There’s more.
Infielder Matt McLain was a scratch on Monday in a game against the San Francisco Giants for precautionary reasons due to a sore left shoulder.
McLain had a right oblique strain in August last season and then was shut down in September after aggravating the injury. He missed three weeks early camp due to a sore right oblique from over swinging.
The Reds are hoping some treatment will erase the problem and have him in the lineup on Opening Day.
Besides Williamson and Friedl, three more players will start the season on the injured list that includes starting pitcher Nick Lodolo with an injured left tibia and relievers Ian Gibaut and Alex Young. Gibaut has a sore right forearm and Young has back problems.
Also, reliever Sam Moll has had a bad left shoulder but is expected to be ready for the season. He didn’t make his spring debut until this past Monday.
The loss of Friedl means Stuart Fairchild and Will Benson will share centerfield duties.
Montas has been impressive this spring and earned the Opening Day starting assignment when the Reds host the Washington Nationals next Thursday.
The Reds roster appears to be set with only a few adjustments early due to the injuries.
Catcher: Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile will continue to share the duties. Stephenson can also play first base and designated hitter.
First Base: Power-hitting Christian Encarnacion-Strand is the leading candidate although his lack of defensive prowess could relegate him to designated hitter.
Second Base: McLain and Jonathan India should handle this spot with McLain playing some shortstop and India some first base, third base and possibly left field as well as DH.
Shortstop: Elly De La Cruz has been hitting well this spring and if he has made the adjustments and can cut down on his strikeouts, he could be at the position on a regular basis.
Third Base: With Marte suspended, the switch-hitting Candelario will get the nod. Of course, Spencer Steer is another option.
Outfield: Look for Steer in left, Friedl in center and Jake Fraley in right when all three are healthy. As mentioned before, Fairchild and Benson will be in center field with Friedl out.
When he returns, Benson should get some work in right field with Fraley and Fairchild some time in left field. Besides left field and third base, Steer is also a solid first baseman.
Utility: Nick Martini is expected to be a bench backup. He showed some power last season with six home runs in 29 games after being called up in August.
Starting Pitchers: Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brandon Williamson and Nick Martinez. Obviously, with Lodolo and Williamson out, the other five pitchers should be in the rotation.
Relievers: Alexis Diaz was strong last season until down the stretch but should be the No.1 closer. The rest of the bullpen has Lucas Simms, Brent Suter, Emilio Pagan, Sam Moll, Buck Farmer, Fernando Cruz and Justin Wilson. With Young and Gibaut on the IL, Tejay Antone could take his spot in the bullpen. Antone had Tommy John surgery in 2021 but could be an important part of this team.
Cincinnati native Josh Harrison was a non-roster invitee hoping to make the Reds team, but his dream ended on Monday when the Reds told him he would not be on the Opening Day roster and he invoked an opt-out clause in his minor league contract and became a free agent.
The 36-year-old Harrison is a 13-year veteran and a two-time All-Star. He was 5-for-20 in 8 games this spring for a .250 batting average.
Harrison plans to spend time with his family before making any decision about his future in baseball as a player or coach or moving forward in his life.
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