Reds outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) will not be ready to go when the Reds start the regular season next week due to a shoulder injury that has kept him limited through most of Spring Training.
Reds Spencer Steer (shoulder) to open on IL.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) March 22, 2025
Steer has resumed throwing and appeared in a minor-league game Thursday, but he won’t be able to ramp up in time for the Reds’ opener at home against the Giants. He will most likely have a few weeks of buildup in the Reds’ farm system and look to join the big-league lineup in approximately mid-to-late April, barring any setbacks.
Steer has been very durable playing 156 games in 2023 and 158 games in 2024. He hit 23 and 20 homers in those two seasons with 15 and 25 stolen bases. His batting average dropped significantly last season to just .225, but his xBA and xwOBA indicate some of that was due to bad luck.
He could be set for a bounce-back season, but first he’ll have to overcome this shoulder injury.
Fantasy baseball impact
With the Steer injury, the Reds will have more room in their outfield for Austin Hays, Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl while Blake Dunn and Stuart Fairchild could get more work against lefties.
Hays has hit .308 with three home runs in his 15 Spring Training games, so he’s showing some positive signs after hitting only .255 with five home runs and a .303 wOBA in 85 games last season between the Orioles and Reds. He’ll have a nice chance to get everyday playing time and could hit in the middle of the order until Steer is ready to make his season debut.
