NEW YORK -- Reds left-hander Alex Wood is going to see the doctor on Wednesday to get a second opinion on his lower back, according to manager David Bell. Wood, who hasn’t pitched since February 25, threw a bullpen session late last week and the back didn’t respond well the next day.

Wood was part of the seven-player trade with the Dodgers on December 21 that also brought Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer to Cincinnati. Wood was expected to be a big part of the Reds’ pitching staff, which ranks third in the Major Leagues with a 3.35 ERA entering Monday’s action against the Mets.  

Reds believe in Schebler

Reds outfielder Scott Schebler is 10-for-72 (.139) without much power entering Monday’s game, but don’t expect Bell to put his center fielder on the bench anytime soon. Bell went so far as to say, “I believe in him.”

The skipper gave Schebler credit for showing some patience at the plate. In fact, Schebler is second on the team in walks with 12. It also helped that Schebler broke out of a 0-for-19 skid in Sunday’s 5-2 loss by hitting a two-run double against Cardinals right-hander Dominic Leone in the ninth inning. Schebler was in Monday’s starting lineup against the Mets, hitting sixth.

“As a hitter, you may not see the little adjustments he is making, but I know that he is,” Bell said about Schebler. “It’s amazing when you get a hit. … The more that happens, the better things feel. Even though it was one hit, that can carry over. … He is getting closer and is seeing the ball better. It’s good to see him come up with a big hit that could have put us in a position to come back.”

When he is healthy and not in a slump, Schebler can give the Reds some additional power. His best season was 2017, when he hit 30 home runs and had 67 RBIs.