India preparing to play anywhere and everywhere

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jonathan India was often bruised and banged up throughout his three years as the Reds' second baseman. But India always tried to play through the pain and keep going.

In the offseason, India absorbed a different type of bruising when Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall and manager David Bell informed him he was moving from starting at second base to playing multiple positions. Second-year infielder Matt McLain is expected to get most of the work at second base.

"It was, 'Oh wow, I have to play multiple positions after playing second for three years.' It's hard. I know I can play infield on any other team," India said. "It's kind of like you feel you're getting demoted or something like that. It's, 'Am I not good enough for second base?' But it's not that. We have so many good players on this team. We're trying, as much as possible, to make everything fit in the lineup. I understand that part."

India's response? Play through the pain and keep going.

"I'll show my versatility, and [maybe] it helps me in free agency, and it helps me down the road. It's not permanent. It's just something I can do to help myself and be an athlete," he said.

India batted .244 with a .745 OPS, 17 home runs and 61 RBIs in 119 games last season. He also missed 39 games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. On Feb. 9, Cincinnati signed the 27-year-old to a two-year, $8.8 million contract that avoided arbitration.

Bell expects India -- the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year -- will get opportunities this season at second base, first base, third base, left field and designated hitter. An offseason flare-up of the foot injury has him on a modified running program in camp, reducing his ability to do outfield work.

"He's still a young player, and he's done so much for us. He's had such a good start to his career. He's been an everyday player for us," Bell said.

"We need to check in and see exactly where he is from a health standpoint. Everything will kind of fall into place from there. We want him to continue to get a lot of playing time. He wants that. We want that. It may entail playing some other positions."

Krall emphasized that India remains a critical club member, both on and off the field.

"Just as an offensive player, he gets on base," Krall said. "He exudes toughness out there. You look at some of the stuff he's gone through, how he grinds through playing every day when he's hurt. He sets a really good example. He's a guy that you want on your team and a tremendous guy, a tremendous player."

In the early days of camp, India took grounders at second and third base. He's also done outfield work with coach Collin Cowgill.

A third baseman in college for Florida before the Reds selected him in the first round of the 2018 Draft, India has never played the outfield at any level. He received advice from former teammate and offseason training partner Nick Castellanos, who moved from third base to the outfield full-time earlier in his career.

"He said [outfield] is way easier," India said. "He said enjoy yourself, don't make it too hard. He said don't put pressure on yourself to be an elite outfielder. It definitely helps with hitting. You have a lot more time to think about your at-bats. He said to keep it simple out there."

Away from baseball, India's role has also transformed into that of a first-time father. He and his fiancee, Daniella, welcomed a baby girl, Adalina, on Jan. 22. Having a baby has already changed his approach to baseball.

"In the past, I overworked and killed myself at Spring Training and during the season. But now I have something to look forward to coming home," India said. "I have to go be a father. It helps me mature more. It helps me be a professional and preserve my body for the season and enjoy the game more rather than press."

Back at the ballpark, India aims to continue being a good teammate. In 2024, that criteria extended to accepting new positions.

"For sure. If I wasn't willing to move, I would have been traded," India said. "I thought I was going to be traded the whole offseason just because there were so many rumors. I am willing to move positions and move around the field and just be a guy for this team again and help this team win."