Winker confident shoulder is fully healthy

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds outfielder Jesse Winker has told everyone that his surgically repaired right shoulder is feeling exactly as it should -- normal. But when Winker clobbered a two-run home run to the back wall past the right-field fence Thursday against the Brewers, it served as a sort of confirmation.

“I knew all along it was fine. But I guess for everyone else, it could be a confirmation,” Winker said Friday. “The first two at-bats of my spring, I hit the ball hard and it just went straight to the ground. It was nice just to hit the ball in the air with some authority. Any time you can do that, it’s a good thing.”

On Friday, Winker hit a leadoff home run and went 1-for-3 in the Reds' 5-3 loss to the Giants.

Winker, 25, was having a strong rookie season when he landed awkwardly on his non-throwing right shoulder during a July 23 game. He batted .299/.405/.431 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs in 89 games.

Even before the injury, a partial dislocation, Winker had been bothered by pain in his shoulder for a few years, but still played through it. After a successful rehab, he can feel the difference.

“It was just little things I would do, in and out of the weight room or in and out of hitting BP or in the cage, and my shoulder would hurt during those activities and it doesn’t anymore,” Winker said. “That’s when I knew I was good and that was happening back in January. When I started doing my one-handed drills, it was like, ‘Wow, I’m feeling nothing in my shoulder.’ Honestly, it’s been great.”

Expected to get regular at-bats in a still unsorted Reds outfield, Winker feels more optimistic about the type of 2019 season he could have.

“I never try to put a statistical goal on a season, but having a healthy shoulder will just make going to the yard every day that much more enjoyable,” Winker said. “It’s already a lot of fun, but knowing that you’re healthy and everything is feeling good in the shoulder is great.”

Leadoff spot not decided

Winker played left field and batted leadoff on Friday.

“He’s certainly a candidate to be a leadoff hitter for us, based on what’s he’s done,” Reds manager David Bell said.

Scott Schebler, who is competing with Nick Senzel to be the regular center fielder, is also a leadoff option.

“It’s just depending on how our roster shapes up,” Bell said. “Getting on base is important factor for a leadoff hitter. Those are two guys who can do that.”

Bell has used a few different players at the top of the order this spring, including Senzel, but that’s more to give some hitters more at-bats.

“I don’t want guys to have to play six innings to get three at-bats,” Bell said. “Maybe they get three at-bats and only have to play four innings.”

Iglesias easing into work

Some Reds pitchers have already appeared in three games this spring, but reliever Raisel Iglesias has yet to pitch in one. Iglesias was slated to face hitters in live batting practice Friday, but isn’t slotted into an upcoming game yet.

“It was a conversation that he and [pitching coach] Derek Johnson had early,” Bell said. “Based on the outcome of that conversation, they decided to just take it a little bit slower. Nothing to do with any health. There was no health involved in the discussion. It was more of he wanted a little extra work before he got in a game. From that conversation, they developed the plan.”

A similar schedule has also been designed for reliever David Hernandez, who also has yet to pitch.

“These guys have a lot of innings under their belt,” Bell said. “I have no problem if they are just slightly delayed. We’ve talked about this, but just using this time as practice and using it the best we can and being smart about it. We’re getting closer now. Now things are going to ramp up. It just doesn’t make any sense to do too much too soon.”

Farmer impressing

The battle for what is likely one, or possibly two, spots on the Reds bench is tight. Utility player Kyle Farmer has played himself into strong consideration for one of them. Farmer, who started at third base Friday, has also made starts at catcher and shortstop this week.

“More than anything, just the versatility,” Bell said. “We had heard that, but you watch him out at shortstop and then a day later or two days later, be behind the plate, and have such a good idea of what he’s doing behind the plate. Now, that’s pretty unique.”

Up next

The Reds will host the Angels during Saturday’s 3:05 p.m. ET game at Goodyear Ballpark. Eugenio Suarez, Joey Votto and Scooter Gennett are scheduled to play, while Anthony DeSclafani is the probable starter with Luis Castillo coming in from the bullpen.