It has been a rough week for the Cincinnati Reds. After winning their Opening Day matchup against Detroit, they’ve lost four in a row. Mike Moustakas got put on the IL after Saturday. Just before first pitch Sunday, Nick Senzel was scratched from the lineup. Nothing had been said as to why, but we know it isn’t COVID.
Moose and Senzel Test Negative for Covid
Moustakas is one of the main cogs in this Reds lineup. He was signed in the offseason away from the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Immediately, he made his presence felt, hitting a homer on opening day with four RBI. Senzel is also the starting center fielder for the club. After much speculation, we finally have an answer. Both players have been tested for COVID-19 and were negative.
This is good news coming on the heels of Matt Davidson testing positive. Davidson, who was also an offseason signing, tested positive Friday and was immediately moved to the IL. Moustakas had a whale of a game last Friday, as he hit a home run and drove in four runs. He woke up Saturday not feeling well per C. Trent Rosecrans on Twitter.
#Reds David Bell: Mike Moustakas “woke up not feeling well… that’s all we know” He was scratched from the lineup
— C. トレント・ローズクランズ (@ctrent) July 26, 2020
Senzel was scratched about 30 minutes before the first pitch. Senzel, a second-year player, has had a history with Vertigo, which can cause migraines. One can only speculate if that has been keeping him out of the lineup.
Nick Senzel scratched for #Reds, Jankowski in CF batting 8th, Freddy Galvis moves up to 7th
— C. トレント・ローズクランズ (@ctrent) July 26, 2020
Seeing both players test negative for the virus is a huge plus, especially since the Miami Marlins have experienced 14 positive cases (12 players and two coaches). Both players are desperately needed in the lineup soon, as the Reds have lost four in a row. Manager David Bell has kept quiet and not answered many questions regarding either player in the past couple of days.
Bad Effect
In their absence, the Reds have struggled to score runs early, and it shows not having that extra power and speed in the lineup. It’s almost as if the Reds offense has gone dormant, aside from Monday night when they scored seven runs. Unfortunately for the Reds, the bullpen has been a big issue as they can’t seem to keep offenses off the board.
Senzel and Moustakas will go through more re-entry testing and hopefully be back for the Reds sometime this week. In the meantime, Cincinnati will finish up their homestead against the Chicago Cubs, then head go on the road to play against the Detroit Tigers. In order for Cincinnati to turn it around, they need a win tonight, and luckily they have Sonny Gray on the hill. Gray had a spectacular opening day with three hits, one earned run, and nine strikeouts in six innings pitched. Look for the Reds to get back on track as they roll back to the top of their pitching rotation in the next few games.
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