Spencer Steer hasn’t played since July 26, when the Reds utilityman suffered a partial tear in a sheath in his right wrist. Almost a month after the injury, Steer provided an update on his status to reporters (including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer) and admitted that “I’m pretty much done for the year, for sure….I figured there was maybe still a chance that I’d be able to come back on the back end of September and get in some games and at least finish the year healthy. It’s looking like that’s not the case anymore.”
Steer will be re-examined by doctors in about two weeks’ time, and wrist surgery is still a possibility, though manager Terry Francona said “the doctor has made it clear to Spence that not having surgery is the first option.” Whether or not Steer ultimately needs to go under the knife, he is expected to be fine for the start of Spring Training, so the one silver lining is that he at least isn’t facing any kind of truly long-term issue.
Of course, the wrist issue did end a respectable year for the 28-year-old, who finishes his 2026 campaign with 16 homers and a .238/.319/.421 slash line over 384 plate appearances. This translates to an exactly average 100 wRC+, and a minor step up from the 97 wRC+ Steer posted in over the 2024-25 seasons.
While he has yet to return to the production of his 118 wRC+ rookie season in 2023, Steer has least resumed mashing left-handed pitching this season. He has become a useful part of Cincinnati’s regular lineup at multiple positions — primarily first base and the corner outfield slots, with some work at second and third base and a couple of appearances in center field and even shortstop.
Since the Reds are in last place in the NL Central, there isn’t really any incentive for the team to bring Steer back (if he avoids surgery) for some meaningless late-season games. It is worth wondering if Steer’s injury perhaps kept him on the roster entirely, as he was drawing a bit of trade buzz prior to the deadline. Since the Reds are planning to compete in 2027, it would’ve taken a notable offer for the club to part ways with Steer, who is under arbitration control through the 2028 season.
In other injury news for the Cincinnati outfield, Michael Toglia left yesterday’s 9-0 loss to the Diamondbacks with a dislocated right shoulder. Toglia suffered the injury while making a diving catch of a Gerardo Perdomo fly ball in the first inning. Toglia is considered day to day for now, as x-rays were negative and Toglia told MLB.com’s Patrick Brown and other media that the training staff reset his shoulder. “I’m not in any pain right now, and the gentle range of motion looked fantastic,” Toglia said.
