The Reds are trying to piece things together with several important names on the injured list, and the timing couldn’t be much rougher. Cincinnati was just swept out of D.C. by the Washington Nationals after scoring only six runs, a stretch that made it easy to see how much Spencer Steer’s presence has been missed.
Steer has given the Reds value in more than one way this season. He’s been one of their most flexible defenders, and he’s also been a real part of the lineup. He’s tied for fourth on the club with 16 home runs and a .421 slugging percentage, and he’s one of only five Reds hitters carrying an OPS+ above 100.
His return is getting closer to the next stage. Steer has been on the 10-day injured list since the end of July after suffering a right wrist sprain while taking an awkward swing against the St.
Louis Cardinals on July 26. Additional testing showed a torn sheath of a tendon, leading to two weeks of rest in a protective brace.
That brace is now set to come off, and Steer can start mobility work as he moves toward a comeback before the 2026 season ends. He’ll still need rehab, and the Reds’ standing in the race may end up helping decide whether a quick return is worth pushing for.
Tony Santillan is also inching forward. The right-hander has been out since the end of June with an oblique strain, the kind of injury that tends to drag on and require patience.
Santillan threw a bullpen session during the Reds’ road trip in Washington, and he’s expected to throw another early this week before the team decides where his rehab assignment will begin. Cincinnati has missed his steady arm out of the bullpen, but there’s optimism he could be back there before the end of August.
Brandon Williamson is on a different part of the recovery track and is due for another rehab outing after a rocky first one. His initial start with the Louisville Bats ended quickly, as he couldn’t make it out of the first inning after giving up five runs on two hits and walking four against the St.
Paul Saints. This week should bring a better setup, with Louisville back home at Louisville Slugger Field.
Williamson is scheduled to work up to 60 pitches and is expected to start Tuesday against the Toledo Mud Hens.
That matters for Cincinnati, too. Chase Burns is closing in on an innings limit, and Hunter Greene is shut down after elbow surgery, leaving the Reds with real need for Williamson later in the stretch run.
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Michael Toglia has emerged as a natural name in that discussion because of what he has done at Triple-A Louisville and because he has already seen the majors with the Rockies. The idea is simple enough: Cincinnati could use a more dangerous power option off the bench than the pieces it is currently leaning on, even if this remains more of a speculative roster fit than a move that is actually imminent. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Lodolo Is Back As Reds Make Another High Stakes Roster Move
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Cincinnati also brought first baseman Michael Toglia onto the active roster from Triple-A Louisville, while reliever Zach McCambley was optioned back to Louisville to make the moves work. Lodolo is set to step into Hunter Greenes rotation spot, and with Greene now on the shelf, the Reds are once again adjusting on the fly as they try to keep enough pitching in place to stay on track. [Read more 🡒]
Brock Burke Just Became Part Of A Bigger Reds Bullpen Debate
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It also puts Burke squarely in the middle of a bigger offseason conversation. Cincinnatis bullpen has been one of the weaker units in the league, and rebuilding it is clearly going to be a priority, even with Tejay Antone and Emilio Pagan also turning in solid work. In that context, keeping Burke around is not just about preserving one useful arm, but about protecting one of the few pieces already pointing the right way. [Read more 🡒]