Notes: Winker, Castellanos injury updates

A day after he was scratched with a sore right hip against the A’s, Reds outfielder Jesse Winker didn’t appear concerned that he would miss much time on the field.

“I just think, to be honest with you, that it’s just a little sore and tight,” Winker said Tuesday from Goodyear, Ariz. “Everything that’s happening is just really precautionary. We’re in the first week of camp right now and games and stuff. I think we did the right thing by just kind of giving it a couple of days just to get back to it not being as tight and sore.”

Winker did not believe it was one thing that caused the injury.

“I just think it was over a couple of days. I ramped up really quick and went hard really quick and I think these things happen,” Winker said.

Winker has the luxury of not battling for a 26-man roster spot, but he will be working to establish his spot in a crowded outfield picture once he’s fully healthy. Other corner outfielders include Shogo Akiyama, Nick Castellanos, Aristides Aquino, Mark Payton and non-roster invites like Tyler Naquin.

“I will get some things done over at our complex on the days I’m not playing, and then within the games, get your at-bats in, see the pitches and just get ready for the season,” Winker said. “Once we get back to Ohio, we’re going to hit the ground running and the marathon begins. It’s really getting everything here in line, getting checked and getting out of here and getting ready to go play.”

Castellanos scratched also

A few hours ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Angels, Castellanos was scratched from the lineup with a sore right middle finger. Minor League camp outfielder T.J. Friedl replaced Castellanos in the lineup.

Akiyama still out

Akiyama has been away from Reds camp since Friday for personal reasons and a date for his return has not been announced.

“I don’t expect it to be much longer, though,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I would expect to have him back in camp here in the next few coming days.”

Akiyama will have to undergo COVID-19 intake testing upon his return and have negative results before he can resume participating with the team.

Another day, another shortstop starts

Part of the audition for the open spot, Rule 5 player Kyle Holder became the third shortstop to make the starting lineup Tuesday as the Reds played their third Cactus League game. Kyle Farmer started at short Sunday vs. Cleveland and Jose Garcia started Monday against Oakland. All three shortstops batted leadoff so that they could have a chance at extra plate appearances.

“I mean, there are a lot of guys we want to see there,” Bell said. “I would anticipate the rest of the week it being a different starter each day. Maybe Farmer, try to get Dee [Strange-Gordon] a start there, [Alex] Blandino, and that’s leaving out [Minor Leaguer] Alfredo Rodriguez, so it’s not easy. We’ll have to make the most of this week. It’ll be a little easier starting next week. Hopefully we’ll have a couple of games going each day.”