Reds first baseman/outfielder Michael Toglia will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery tomorrow, manager Terry Francona told reporters (link via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com). Toglia was diagnosed with a labrum tear in addition to the dislocation that was initially revealed on Friday.
Toglia was playing left field in Friday’s game in Arizona. He had a hard landing while making a diving catch on a Geraldo Perdomo line drive in the first inning. Toglia was in immediate pain and lifted for TJ Friedl after that play. He went on the injured list the following day.
It’s a tough break for Toglia, who just earned an MLB look two weeks ago. He had a huge season in Triple-A, batting .273/.373/.547 with 22 homers and 26 doubles across 402 plate appearances. Cincinnati selected Toglia onto the big league roster on August 11. He went 2-26 with 12 strikeouts in 10 games.
Toglia had previously spent his entire career with the Rockies. The 2019 first-rounder had a decent season two years ago but was one of the least productive players in the league last season. Colorado non-tendered him and he settled for an offseason minor league contract with the Reds.
The 28-year-old will spend the remainder of this season on the injured list. Cincinnati can transfer him to the 60-day IL if they want to open a 40-man roster spot before the end of the year. There’s a decent chance they’ll place Toglia on waivers at the beginning of the offseason, and he may be in for a second straight winter on a minor league contract.
