Reds activate Gennett; Barnhart to IL

CINCINNATI -- Coming perhaps at the perfect time when the recently reeling Reds need him the most, second baseman Scooter Gennett was activated from the 60-day injured list on Friday ahead of an important series vs. the first-place Cubs.

Gennett severely strained his right groin on March 22. Cincinnati, ranked 14th out of 15 National League clubs in batting and 13th in runs, came into the day with a four-game losing streak and scored one run in each of two losses to the Angels on Tuesday and Wednesday. In many ways, Gennett’s return feels like a trade acquisition.

“It definitely feels like an addition to our team even though he has been around,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s turned himself into a really good player, a consistent offensive player. To add that into anyone’s lineup is a boost for sure. It’s going to help us. It’s great to have him back. He’s been a part of the team, but it makes so much more sense when he’s on the field.”

A waiver claim from the Brewers at the end of Spring Training in 2017, Gennett has become a star for the Reds during his two seasons. Over 295 games, he was a .303/.351/.508 hitter with 50 home runs and 189 RBIs. In 2018, he was named to the NL All-Star team.

“I’m super happy, super excited. It’s been a while,” Gennett said. “I don’t want to say a rough two months, three months, but it’s been a challenge seeing my guys out there playing and me not being able to contribute. Took care of some stuff that I could and somehow try to find a positive in it and I did. I truly believe that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Gennett, 29, played seven rehab assignment games for Class A-Advanced Daytona and Triple-A Louisville and was 4-for-26 with two doubles.

“[It was] just going to through some checkpoints in a sense,” Gennett said. “Backhand play, plant and throw to first, dive, slide, those kinds of things, just to know I can do it without any issues, and I did.”

Despite the Reds being in last place in the NL Central race, Gennett felt there was enough time to surge in the standings.

“Right now, there’s two big series coming up with the Cubs and the Brewers, so it’s an important time,” he said. “In the long run, we have a team that people don’t really want to see come in. We have really good pitching. We can hit. Our hitting has turned around. I think there’s a couple of guys that have gotten through the struggles that they had early in the season, so it should be a great second half.”

Barnhart to IL
With Gennett’s activation, a roster spot was cleared when the Reds placed catcher Tucker Barnhart on the 10-day IL with a strained right oblique. Barnhart felt the injury while taking a swing in the cage on Wednesday in Anaheim. He is expected to miss some significant time.

“It’s taken five years to go on the IL, so that’s a pretty good run. Usually, I try to play through as much as I can, but I couldn’t do it on this,” Barnhart said. “They said it’s a moderate abdominal and a moderate oblique strain. Obviously, something we can’t rush.”

Curt Casali will handle regular catching duties while utility player Kyle Farmer becomes the No. 2 catcher. Farmer has yet to catch for the Reds this season.

“To his credit, even though he hasn’t caught during the season, he’s worked very hard to stay on top of his catching skills,” Bell said. “[Coach] J.R. [House] has done a good job of keeping him ready.”

Farmer, who has been a solid bench player this season, has caught only four big league games in his career while with the Dodgers -- totaling nine innings. He has caught in the Minor Leagues and for the Reds during Spring Training.

“Extra-inning games, some blowout games I’d catch in the later innings. This is the first time I might be able to start a game at catcher, which is pretty cool,” Farmer said. “I sat down with Tucker and Curt today, I hadn’t done a scouting report all year until today. That’s another thing I have to get used to. It’s just watching the game more in depth, watching how Curt calls a game and seeing the history of Tucker calling games, that’s the biggest thing. And just getting my legs back into shape.”

What becomes of Dietrich?
The return of Gennett to the lineup affects Derek Dietrich’s playing time the most. Dietrich, who came into Friday’s game with a career-high 18 home runs this season, has started the majority of games -- 36 -- this season. He can also play first base, third base and both corner outfield spots. Bell planned on finding a way to make it work for Dietrich.

“First of all, what Derek did while Scooter was out, he contributed a lot to where we are right now,” Bell said. “It was tough losing Scooter, but for Derek to jump in and do what he did offensively and defensively, we wouldn’t be in the position we are without what Derek has done. The great thing for Derek is he can play multiple positions. We’ve seen all year that we are able to mix and match, get guys in there and keep them sharp. He’s going to continue to get playing time.”