Notes: Moustakas at third; India's roster bid

Similar to Eugenio Suárez moving from third base to shortstop for the Reds on Tuesday, going from second base to third base was a sort of homecoming for Mike Moustakas.

Moustakas was an All-Star third baseman for the Royals and Brewers before he signed with Cincinnati ahead of the 2020 season to play second base. During an 11-7 loss to the Rockies, Moustakas was 0-for-3 while making his first start of spring at the hot corner.

Impressed with Suárez’s conditioning, manager David Bell wanted to give him a shot at his original position of shortstop -- which he last played regularly in 2015. Meanwhile, the changes also could give prospect Jonathan India an opportunity to debut in the Majors as the second baseman on Opening Day.

“The flexibility we have in our infield is really nice, especially with Geno being able to come and play shortstop. I knew it was a possibility,” said Moustakas, in the second season of his four-year, $64 million contract. “Today was fun. Looking over at Geno at short, he looks good over there. For me, I’ve played third base for basically all of my career, so I felt good over there. Taking ground balls, it was nice to get in a game and be back at third.”

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Moustakas, 32, feels more comfortable at third base and believed that comfort could translate to better performance both offensively and defensively.

“I’ve played third base for the last 12 years, counting the Minor Leagues,” Moustakas said. “It was nice to be able to go over there and play in a game today and obviously, I feel really comfortable over there, probably the most comfortable I feel on the ball field. For Geno, it’s nice for him to get over to shortstop.”

India feels no pressure
One factor in changing the infield makeup was the improvement of India, whom MLB Pipeline ranks as Cincinnati’s No. 5 prospect. The 24-year-old was in Minor League camp before his promotion to big league camp last week. His showing this spring has moved him from roster long shot to having a serious chance.

“Of course, it’s pretty cool to see them put my name in the lineup with the big league guys,” India said. "I’m not trying to worry about that. I’m going to go out there and play the game I know how to play still. You can’t look ahead and say this is the lineup for the year. You just can’t think like that. I’m grateful for the opportunity, of course.”

India was the No. 5 overall selection by the Reds in the 2018 Draft as a third baseman. He didn’t begin playing second base regularly until he turned professional. He planned on having fun with a potential chance of making his big league debut on Opening Day.

“I try not to put pressure on myself, ever, in this game. If you put pressure on yourself, it’s not going to end well for you in baseball,” India said.

India has a fan in Suárez, who has been watching his work. When India hit his first spring homer on March 5, Suárez sent him a message saying he loved his swing.

“When we talk about Jonathan, this is one of my favorite guys right now,” Suárez said. “I like the way he swings, the way he prepares his body. I haven't seen much at second base, but I have seen him taking at-bats and he can hit. I like that swing. I think he's going to help us a lot.”

Miley feels good
The starting pitcher for the Reds vs. Colorado, Wade Miley gave up four earned runs, five hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Connor Joe’s three-run homer to center field off Miley did most of the damage in the second inning.

Miley came out of his previous outing with a mild left hamstring injury but bounced back quickly to get back on track.

“Out of the windup, it felt really good. Felt sharp, crisp out of the windup,” Miley said. “Obviously, when I moved to the stretch, it was quick. I just had a hard time getting into a rhythm and getting balls to glove side, and obviously it cost me a little bit. Close though. Really close to where I want to get.”

If Miley can remain healthy, he is the likely No. 4 starter in Cincinnati’s rotation. He believed he would be ready.

“If I execute pitches and I get guys to get soft contact, then I don’t leave balls over the heart of the plate and get hit,” he said.