Spencer Steer DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/infielder Spencer Steer will begin Tuesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners on the bench at Great American Ball Park. Austin Hays (calf), who is making his season debut, will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo. Due to a shoulder injury he dealt with in spring training, Steer has yet to appear on defense so far in 2025. However, the 27-year-old has been ramping up his throwing of late and could make his first start on defense soon, which might be bad news for first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Steer's shoulder could be affecting him at the plate as well, as he's started the 2025 campaign hitting just .109 (5-for-46) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts in his first 13 games. Fantasy managers may want to steer clear of Steer for now until he breaks out of his early slump.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder/infielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) will take his throwing program to the next step and will start working on throws from first base over the next few days. Steer battled a right-shoulder injury in spring training and has only served as a designated for the Reds early in the season while he rehabs his arm. The 27-year-old is the DH and is batting cleanup on Friday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates. It's very possible his shoulder is responsible for his slow start at the plate in 2025 as well, as Steer comes into Friday's series opener against the Bucs hitting just .143 (5-for-35) with one home run, two doubles, three RBI, four runs scored, three walks and nine strikeouts in 38 trips to the plate over 10 games played. The good news is that it sounds like his shoulder is feeling better.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Spencer Steer hit his first home run of the 2025 season Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers. During the afternoon, Steer went 1-for-3, with the home run being a solo shot against Chad Patrick in the fifth inning. Steer has gotten off to an incredibly slow start, holding a .083/.154/.208 slash line and a 26.9 percent strike out rate in 26 plate appearences. He missed considerable time in spring training with a minor shoulder injury, so fantasy managers can remain optimistic that the home run on Sunday is a sign of good things to come. Over the past two seasons, Steer has hit 40 home runs and driven in 178 RBI, so his slow start can likely be attributed to the injury during Spring Training.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/corner infielder Spencer Steer is not in the team's lineup for Saturday against the Brewers. Steer was originally scheduled for a day off Friday but entered the lineup when Matt McLain (hamstring) had to be scratched. Steer entered the lineup hitting second, but he'll start Saturday's game on the bench, even though there is no word of any injury. The 27-year-old righty is just 1-for-21 (.048) in the early going this season with an 0.72 wOBA after he missed considerable time in spring training with a minor shoulder injury. He has been struggling along with the rest of the Reds' lineup, but hopefully the day off will reset him and help him find his groove going forward.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (hamstring) has been scratched from the lineup on Friday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field with a tight left hamstring, which happened a few days ago, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. McLain was out on the field to start pre-game warmups but then met with trainers before heading to the clubhouse. With McLain now out of the lineup, Santiago Espinal will start at second base and will hit eighth against Brewers left-hander Tyler Alexander. Spencer Steer, who was originally scheduled for a day off, will now serve as the designated hitter and bat second. Jeimer Candelario is at third and hitting fifth. For now, fantasy managers should remove McLain from their starting lineups and consider him day-to-day. The 25-year-old former first-rounder has six hits in his first 27 at-bats this year, but with three homers, five RBI and one steal.