Terry Francona discusses a Reds' roster in flux

ATLANTA — On the position player front, the Cincinnati Reds’ roster is truly day-to-day.

Over the last week, the Reds have lost Austin Hays, Tyler Callihan and Noelvi Marte to the IL. While Hays is expected back in the lineup on Friday, Callihan and Marte will miss extended time. On top of that, Jake Fraley wasn’t available to start on Wednesday due to a calf issue and is getting an MRI.

“There are some balls in the air still,” Terry Francona said. “Rather than rushing to a move, we’ll let it play out.”

Francona acknowledged that the Reds don’t have a “perfect bench” right now with three catchers and six outfielders. The only spare infielders are Gavin Lux, who has been a starting outfielder/DH, as well as Austin Wynns, who just played first base for the first time all season.

The way we’re configured right now, I don’t know if it stays that way. We’ve got a lot of outfielders. If Lux is DHing, we don’t have an extra infielder

“We need to not panic today and get through it,” Francona said. “We’ve got Hays coming in two days. That’s a roster move. Then see how we look.”

On Wednesday, the Reds placed Marte on the IL with a grade two oblique injury and activated Rece Hinds, who has been hitting very well in Triple-A and had independently earned a call up. Francona said that Marte is going to be out “a little while.”

Earlier this year, Tyler Stephenson suffered a low-grade oblique strain and was out for seven weeks. Marte has a higher-grade strain.

When asked who was going to play third base between Santiago Espinal and Gavin Lux going forward, Francona said that he didn’t know yet.

The three catcher setup has lasted longer than expected. On Tuesday, Austin Wynns started at first base and nearly hit the go-ahead home run. He has been practicing at first, but he hadn’t made a big league start there.

“I don’t know how fair that was to him,” Francona said. “He helped us with his bat. He’s willing to do anything. Where it goes, I don’t know. It’s not the perfect bench. We know that. They know that. They’ve all done a really good job.”

Wynns is out of options, so the Reds would have to DFA him if they took him off the roster. With Callihan no longer available, Wynns is also now the backup first baseman.

Fraley’s injury is a big uncertain piece of the puzzle. The Reds are facing a lot of RHP coming up, and Fraley would be starting pretty much every night in right field if he’s available. But if he has to miss time, then the Reds will need a new regular in the outfield. Fraley ran on Wednesday afternoon but was “just not quite where he needs to be,” Francona said.

Aside from Hays, reinforcements aren’t on the way. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) could start baseball activities next week. Jeimer Candelario (back) hasn’t turned the corner yet following an epidural shot, Francona said.

On Wednesday, the Reds had Hurtubise and Hinds in the outfield. Hinds will likely get a good amount of playing time for a Reds team that needs a spark, especially if Fraley is out.

“I always feel like we’ll figure it out,” Francona said. “Last night, we were not knocking the cover off the ball. But that was one of the funner nights I’ve had all year because we were playing. We were competing. There was energy.”

With Fraley available, the Reds have one spot in the lineup for Hurtubise, Dunn, Hinds, Trevino and Wynns. Without Fraley, the Reds have two available spots for those players. Dunn and Hurtubise have been struggling offensively this year, and they each said that they’re focused on making more contact, putting the ball in play more, doing a better job of finding their pitches to hit and using their speed.

The lineup has its questions right now. Because of where they’re at, maybe the Reds go all-in on pitching and defense and just play their best defenders in the outfield.

Francona’s comment about being outfield-heavy was notable. The Reds have almost entirely used up their infield depth from Triple-A, which included Callihan and Marte to start the season.

A notable name is Ivan Johnson, who can play just about anywhere and has a nice .851 OPS. The 26-year-old switch hitter. He’s the only infielder left in Triple-A who was in big league camp. He has some pop.

Louisville Bats have a few more players with big league experience, but none of them were invites to big league camp and they’ve all been mostly minor league journeyman. Edwin Rios is a true bench bat/first base type who has had his hot stretches and cold stretches. Davis Wednzel is a contact-minded utility man. Levi Jordan scratched and clawed his way to the big leagues last year after exploring moving into coaching. It’s probably too early to call up 21-year-old Sal Stewart from Double-A, which would be the Reds’ most aggressive call-up since Jose Barrero in 2020.

The waiver wire is always an option, as is minor league veterans with opt outs. Last year, the Reds were able to pick up Ty France, Amed Rosario and Austin Slater during the season.

For now, the Reds will see what happens between now and Friday, likely round out their bench with some more versatility and work with young guys like Hinds, Dunn and Hurtubise to try to take the next step.