TODAY: Williamson will forego surgical procedure for now, Bell instructed Mark Sheldon (X hyperlink) and different reporters, and has as a substitute acquired injections in his ailing shoulder. The southpaw can be shut down for at the least three weeks to see how his shoulder responds to the remedy, and can then resume throwing if enchancment is proven.
JUNE 11: Two gamers on the Reds might must go below the knife, in accordance with David Bell, as relayed by Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (X hyperlink) and Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer (X hyperlink). Infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand has ligament harm in his fractured hand whereas left-hander Brandon Williamson has a lesion in his shoulder. Each gamers can be evaluated within the coming days with season-ending surgical procedure attainable for every of them.
Encarnacion-Strand debuted with a splash final 12 months, hitting 13 dwelling runs in his first 63 main league video games. He slashed .270/.328/.477 for a wRC+ of 112 whereas enjoying first and third base, in addition to a quick stint in proper subject.
That exhibiting acquired him the on a regular basis first base gig coming into 2024, although the season hasn’t performed out the way in which he or the membership hoped. He produced a tepid line of .190/.220/.293 this 12 months earlier than touchdown on the injured record in early Might. He had been hit on the hand by a pitch on the finish of April. X-rays after that HBP had been detrimental however revealed an “previous fracture” in one among his bones, per Wittenmyer. He continued enjoying for slightly bit longer earlier than ultimately being positioned on the IL.
He’s been on the IL for over a month now and it appears some additional testing found some ligament harm. “Surgical procedure is an choice,” Bell stated right this moment, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer on X. “We’re hopeful he can begin progressing. If that’s what he and the specialist resolve.”
As for Williamson, he’s been on the injured record all 12 months resulting from a shoulder pressure that was identified in spring coaching. He had been on a rehab task of late however that was shut down final week resulting from continued discomfort.
As soon as a prime 100 prospect, Williamson went from the Mariners to the Reds as a part of the March 2022 commerce that despatched Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker to Seattle. Williamson made his main league debut final 12 months with a 4.46 earned run common that clearly isn’t too thrilling, nevertheless it’s maybe notable that his outcomes improved as he acquired acclimated to the majors. He had a5.82 ERA in his first eight outings however then a 3.79 ERA in his closing 15.
The Reds’ season has been considerably affected by absences of potential contributors up to now this 12 months. Noelvi Marté acquired an 80-game PED suspension and has been away from the staff all 12 months, whereas gamers like Encarnacion-Strand, Williamson, Matt McLain, Nick Lodolo, TJ Friedl and others have missed time resulting from accidents.
Lodolo and Friedl have since returned to the membership and McLain may maybe rejoin the membership in August. If both Encarnacion-Strand or Williamson or each find yourself requiring surgical procedure, it would deprive the membership of one other such return later within the 12 months.
The membership slumped badly in Might however have been fairly sizzling of late, with seven wins of their previous eight video games. Their 32-34 file isn’t particularly spectacular nevertheless it places them simply half a sport again of a playoff spot within the comparatively weak Nationwide League playoff race. Assuming they cling across the postseason image within the coming weeks, they can handle these points, if the surgical procedures are ultimately deemed needed.
For now, Lodolo, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Frankie Montas are in 4 rotation spots with one opening because of the current optioning of Graham Ashcraft. Inner choices to fill the spot embrace Nick Martinez and Carson Spiers. Williamson can be in that blend if wholesome however he would naturally be subtracted if he finally ends up present process the surgical procedure.
On the infield, Spencer Steer has been the common first baseman recently, with Jonathan India at second, Jeimer Candelario at third and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, whereas the designated hitter spot has largely been used to rotate the membership’s many outfielders into the lineup. If Encarnacion-Strand had been wholesome, Steer may have been moved to 3rd or DH or a nook outfield spot, although that chance is clearly not an choice in the mean time and will not come into the play in any respect for the rest of 2024.
