CINCINNATI -- Spencer Steer's versatility in the field for the Reds has yet to hit a boundary. Steer became an everyday first baseman last season and was a Gold Glove finalist. For Friday's series opener vs. the Cubs, the utility player entered a new frontier.
Center field. It was Steer's first game there at any level.
“I think it’s always been something I wanted to do. It’s just another tool to add to the tool belt," Steer said before the game. "Another chance for me to get on the field. The more positions I can play – I think I’ve been pretty vocal – the better. It’s just cool that they trust me with this opportunity. We’re going to let it fly and see what happens.”
Why Steer was needed has to do with Friday's roster move. Matt McLain, a second baseman who has been playing more center field recently, went on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. The spot was taken by third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who was activated from the IL.
Without McLain, the Reds lack a right-handed-hitting center field option. Their one true center fielder, TJ Friedl, is a lefty hitter. Right-handed-hitting center fielders Dane Myers and Blake Dunn have been on the IL.
So manager Terry Francona turned to Steer.
“I actually approached him the other day because I knew McLain was kind of beat up," Francona said. "I said, ‘Have you ever played out there?’ He was kind of laughing. … But the more I talked to him, he said, ‘I can do it.’ I certainly trust him a bunch because I think he’s a baseball player. But I don’t want to put guys in a position where it’s unfair to them or something like that.
“He’s not going to be the 'go-getter' out there, that’s unfair. But I bet he makes the plays he’s supposed to make. And against a left-handed pitcher [Shota Imanaga], it’s good to have that bat. So hopefully, it works.”
Steer may lack game experience in center field, but he has taken pregame fly balls there frequently since coming to the big leagues.
“I’ve always shagged in center because that’s where most of the balls go during BP," he said. "There’s days where I was playing left field and I’d sit there for two rounds and not get a fly ball, so I’d just go over to center.”
While Dunn (right elbow strain) has yet to resume baseball activity, Myers (left shoulder contusion) is heading to the team complex in Goodyear, Ariz., during the All-Star break with hopes he'll be ready to return when the second half begins at Colorado on July 17.
“This is to try to get us through to the break," Francona said of Steer.
Hayes worked on his back, hitting mechanics
With Hayes returning, the Reds are getting a Gold Glove defender back at third base. He had been out with a bulging disc in his back since May 21 but also used the time off to improve as a hitter.
Hayes was batting .142 with an even paltrier .420 OPS before going on the IL.
“I’m just feeling good. When I was in [Arizona] I had some time to slow things down, get my body back right," Hayes said.
Hayes went to Driveline Baseball's place in Arizona while he was out.
“I got some information that I think helped and then just kind of slowly built up and was eager to get back into games," he said.
During his five-game rehab assignment with High-A Dayton and Triple-A Louisville, Hayes was 8-for-18 (.444) with a home run and four doubles. At Driveline, he worked on swing mechanics that got him in front of the ball while also taking stress off his back as he rotates.
“I think a lot of it is getting the core back strong," Hayes said. "Once I was able to get back into activities, I was able to lift a lot to help myself for whenever I came back to keep my body in a strong spot for whenever I came back playing. I feel good. Obviously, Triple-A and High-A are not the same as the big leagues but for the time I missed and all that, I felt pretty comfortable up there hitting.”