Moose nears rehab stint; Suárez's cut finger

June 12th, 2021

CINCINNATI -- Infielder Mike Moustakas, who has been on the 10-day injured list with a right heel bruise since May 20, was on the field Friday taking batting practice with the club and he also took ground balls at third base. On Saturday, Moustakas was running the bases.

A date for a rehab assignment for Moustakas has yet to be determined, but it could be soon.

“I do think there’s a real good chance he’ll join us and be able to play on this [upcoming] road trip,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I don’t know which day yet, but he’s getting close.”

The Reds open a nine-game road trip Monday in Milwaukee before going on to San Diego and Minnesota.

“He might just meet us on the road. Could be San Diego, could be Minnesota,” Bell said. “We haven’t put in a date or how many rehab games or even for sure that that’s going to happen, but it could and it likely will, and he’ll likely join us on the road.”

All signs point to Moustakas returning to third base when he is activated -- with Joey Votto back at first base and second baseman Jonathan India back in a hitting groove. But Moustakas is not focused on just one spot.

“He’s made himself really prepared to play any of the three infield positions -- first base, second base, third base,” Bell said. “He’s really good at all three, and he’s preparing himself to do each and every one. We haven’t really gotten there yet either. The last few days, it’s become really positive and encouraging that he’s getting close, so we’ll start giving that more thought.”

Suárez injured in cooking accident

Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez has a wrap over his left index finger to protect a cut. Suárez exited Friday’s 11-5 win over Colorado after four and a half innings to get extra treatment and was back in the lineup at third base Saturday.

“It was a cooking accident actually [Thursday] night when he was at home,” Bell said. “Not a big deal. He got it taken care of and he was obviously able to play.”