CINCINNATI -- Moments prior to Friday's first pitch against the Cardinals, the Reds announced that right fielder Jesse Winker was scratched because of a sore right shoulder. Phillip Ervin replaced Winker in the starting lineup.
"He wasn't really available to do much more than pinch-run," Reds manager Bryan Price said after the 5-3 loss to St. Louis at Great American Ball Park. "If you know Jesse, that's probably not going to be the first skill set we're going to showcase."
The severity of the injury wasn't immediately known, but the struggling Reds can ill-afford to have another regular miss time. Outfielder Scott Schebler (right ulnar nerve) and third baseman Eugenio Suarez (fractured right thumb) are already on the disabled list.
Price had conferred with the trainers but hadn't spoken to the team doctors yet about Winker's prognosis.
"It could be something that could just be a couple of days of inactivity," Price said. "We don't think it's more than that. But you know how things change overnight. We'll have a better assessment tomorrow."
Winker, 24, is batting .250/.400/.250 in 11 games this season.