GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Since Eugenio Suárez signed with the Reds as a free agent on Feb. 3, the prevailing thought was that the right-handed slugger would bat fourth behind No. 3 hitter Elly De La Cruz.
But in the two games since Suárez returned from the World Baseball Classic following Venezuela's championship win on Tuesday, Reds manager Terry Francona had Sal Stewart bat cleanup behind De La Cruz on Friday and Saturday, while Suárez batted fifth. Could this be how Francona writes out the lineup during the regular season, too?
“We’ll see," Francona said on Sunday morning. "I kind of reserve the right to make a lineup out that day. The reason we’ve been doing it is I think it sets Geno up to drive in more runs. Because I think with Elly hitting third, we can separate some strikeouts. But we also have a guy that can trail Elly, and I think Geno can clean up some of the mess there, which is the idea. I think it has a chance to be more productive for us."
Suárez -- who signed a one-year, $15 million contract -- hit 49 home runs with 118 RBIs last season for the Diamondbacks and Mariners. He also struck 196 times, while De La Cruz had 181 strikeouts.
Stewart, who led the Reds during the final month last season with five homers after his Sept. 1 callup, has produced well during a strong camp.
"It’s not an indictment on Geno by any means," Francona said. "I just think Sal has run the bases so well this spring. I think Geno will have more RBI opportunities.”
An example of Stewart's running skills came in the fifth inning of Saturday's 11-7 win over the White Sox. With De Le Cruz on third after a two-run triple and no outs, Stewart grounded back to the pitcher. Going on contact, De La Cruz got caught in a rundown, and as he stayed alive before being thrown out at the plate, Stewart alertly reached third base on the play.
"Sal did such a good job getting to third. I admit I had my heart in my throat when Elly dove into home plate," Francona said.
But don't put this plan for the middle of the lineup in permanent ink just yet.
“I might change my mind on the airplane, but I think there’s a good reason for doing it," Francona said.
Lowe earns final roster spot
As the Reds made their final spring cuts to reach the Opening Day limit of 26 players, non-roster player Nathaniel Lowe was called into Francona's office and informed he made the team out of camp. Part of the reason outfielders JJ Bleday and Rece Hinds were optioned to Triple-A Louisville is the club wanted them to play regularly, while the big league spot is a bench role.
“As long as my foot is in the door, I have a chance to perform and help the team," Lowe said. "Obviously, we’ll figure out the capacity as the season ebbs and flows. I get to be there with Sal while he’s playing first, and whoever else goes over there, get to be in the mix and have a chance to help guys win games. That’s what it’s all about.”
A veteran left-handed-hitting first baseman, Lowe signed a Minor League contract on Feb. 14 and even remained in camp after the passing of his mother following a long battle with cancer.
"Really quickly, he assimilated into the culture and was part of it, and it’s meaningful," Francona said. "Guys love him, and I think he can handle the role. The last thing you want is a guy sitting on the bench tearing down the fabric as opposed to adding.”
Napoli takes over
During the final four innings of Saturday's game, Francona turned the reins to assistant bench coach Mike Napoli to manage the rest of the way.
“I want to manage one day," Napoli said. "It’s nice to be at the head making the calls and watching the game, trying to stay ahead of the game. It was a lot of fun for me.”
The game ended on PJ Higgins’ two-out, walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Napoli also has been filling in all spring as first-base coach while Collin Cowgill recovers from knee surgery, and he will likely be there when the season opens.
"Nap’s been so giving. He’s like the ultimate team guy," Francona said. "He goes to [first-base coach]. I just think it’s good for him. Instead of being bored at the end of March, he’s having fun. Him and Willie [Harris, the third-base coach] are putting on signs, and so it was good.”