The Cincinnati Reds have made their first roster moves of the spring, at least with regards to sending guys down to minor league camp. On Sunday afternoon prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants the team announced that right-handed reliever Brandon Bailey and infielder Juniel Querecuto were sent to minor league camp.
Brandon Bailey missed all of the 2021 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. He pitched in five games with the Houston Astros during the shortened 2020 season. His role in the big leagues has been as a reliever, though much of his time in the minor leagues throughout this career has come as a starting pitcher. Cincinnati hadn’t been considering him in contention for the rotation this spring, but how he will be utilized in the minors could be different.
Juniel Querecuto joined the team this offseason. The infielder was injured early in camp and hadn’t yet played. The Reds game notes said that he’s recover from a hamate fracture.
The injuries are starting to pile up with regards to the shortstop position. Querecuto is dealing with the hamate injury, Jose Barrero‘s left wrist is being monitored and he’s not yet playing and for now it’s unknown how long he will be out. This is probably one reason that they signed JT Riddle to a minor league deal. Riddle hasn’t done much hitting of late, but he’s capable of playing shortstop and at the Triple-A level the team could certainly use someone else to fill in if Querecuto and Barrero are going to be out of action for a little bit.