One of the top right-handed bats potentially available at the MLB trade deadline could miss significant time.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that Steer will miss “significant time.”
The 28-year-old utility player has 16 home runs, 40 RBIs and a .238/.319/.421 slash line in 98 games with the Reds this season. He has hit 20-plus home runs in each of the last three years.
With the Reds sitting five games back of the last National League wild-card spot and holding FanGraphs playoff odds of only 2.3 per cent, they are positioned to be a seller at the upcoming Aug. 3 deadline.
As a productive hitter — particularly against left-handed pitching — on an expiring contract, Steer was primed to be a coveted trade chip. But now it is unclear when he would be able to return and contribute for a potential contender this season.
Cincinnati has won three straight road series since the All-Star break but remains in last place in the NL Central. The Reds begin a 10-game homestand on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians.
–with files from The Associated Press