Reds FeedSpencer Steer
1B · Age 28 · Bats Right
Where things stand
Spencer Steer underwent wrist surgery in the offseason after tearing a tendon sheath during an at-bat in late July and is expected to be ready for spring training. The Reds signed utility player Oswaldo Cabrera partly as insurance given Steer's recent procedure, and Steer is projected to earn $5.7 million in his second year of salary arbitration eligibility for 2027. Before the injury, Steer had produced three consecutive 20-plus home run seasons for Cincinnati following his 2022 acquisition from Minnesota.
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Spencer Steer coverage
Reds get promising head start on their 2027 roster with Oswaldo Cabrera deal
The Cincinnati Reds signed utility player Oswaldo Cabrera to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration with the former Yankees player who was projected to earn $1.1 million in 2027. Cabrera joined the Reds in September after being claimed off waivers and appeared in seven games, playing four different positions. The signing provides depth for Cincinnati, particularly as insurance given Spencer Steer's recent wrist surgery, and reflects the team's strategy of building out the roster with versatile complementary players ahead of the expected December 1 lockout.
Blog Red MachineCincinnati Reds shut out of Gold Glove Award finalists
The Cincinnati Reds have no players among the finalists for the 2026 Gold Glove Awards, marking a significant drop from last season when Spencer Steer and Ke'Bryan Hayes earned nominations at first and third base respectively. The team's lack of representation stems partly from limited playing time across the roster, with few players accumulating enough games at a single position to merit consideration. Elly De La Cruz, despite defensive improvements at shortstop, did not rank in the top three among National League shortstops in available defensive metrics. The Gold Glove winners will be announced on November 1st on ESPN.
Redleg NationWhy the Reds shouldn’t replace Ke’Bryan Hayes in free agency
Ke'Bryan Hayes is struggling offensively for the Reds with a .419 OPS this past season after hitting just .141 in 94 games, and while some have suggested signing free agent Alec Bohm to replace him, the team already has better internal options. Sal Stewart performed well at the plate last season and can play third base, while Spencer Steer, who hit significantly better than Bohm in 2026, is expected to return healthy for spring training after wrist surgery. Given the Reds' limited spending capacity and numerous other roster needs, using resources on a third baseman replacement makes little sense when capable alternatives already exist on the roster.
Redleg NationMatt McLain's arbitration estimate shouldn't scare the Reds away
Matt McLain is projected to earn $4 million in arbitration for the 2027 season, a $1.7 million raise from his current $2.3 million contract, despite batting .185 with a 67 wRC+ in 2026. The Reds second baseman has struggled over the past two seasons following a shoulder injury that cost him all of 2024, but General Manager Brad Meador indicated the team is working with McLain on his approach at the plate. Rather than non-tendering him, the Reds should retain McLain and let him compete for his job in spring training, as the organization has developed depth at second base with players like Edwin Arroyo, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Spencer Steer available as alternatives.
Blog Red MachineA closer look at the the dozen Cincinnati Reds headed through arbitration
The Cincinnati Reds face a roster transition as twelve players enter arbitration ahead of the 2027 season, with combined salaries expected to reach nearly $43 million. Elly De La Cruz leads the group at an estimated $7.9 million, followed by Spencer Steer and Nick Lodolo at $5.7 million each, reflecting strong recent production from these players. The situation highlights a challenge for the Reds, who traded away established stars in 2022 to invest in younger, cheaper talent but have yet to achieve playoff success with their rebuilt roster. The front office must now decide whether to pay increased salaries to retain this core or pursue another rebuild with younger, less expensive players.
Red ReporterReds News: Derek Johnson's replacement, Spencer Steer's prognosis, Dane Myers surgery
The Reds announced that pitching coach Derek Johnson, who has been on leave since June, will not return in 2027, and the team has already begun searching for his replacement. Internal candidates assistant pitching coach Matt Tracy and bullpen coach Oscar Marin have both interviewed for the position, with Marin having prior experience as Pittsburgh's pitching coach. Utility player Spencer Steer had successful wrist surgery earlier this week and is expected to be ready before spring training, while outfielder Dane Myers will undergo a minor shoulder procedure on his AC joint.
Blog Red Machine3 Reds trades that prove Nick Krall hasn't gotten everything wrong
Nick Krall retained his position as Reds president of baseball operations despite fan disapproval, with ownership choosing to keep him in place heading into the 2026-27 offseason. The article highlights three trades where Krall made successful moves, including the 2022 deadline deal with Minnesota that brought Spencer Steer, who produced three consecutive 20-plus home run seasons before a July injury. The Reds also benefited from trading Tyler Naquin and Phillip Diehl to the Mets for prospects Héctor Rodríguez and José Acuña, with Rodríguez making his MLB debut this past season. While Krall's overall trade record has been problematic, these transactions demonstrate he has occasionally made sound decisions for the organization.
Blog Red MachineJuan Brito's September breakout comes with a catch the Reds can't overlook
Since his September 1 call-up, Juan Brito has posted a .341 batting average with three home runs and a 155 wRC+ over 15 games, positioning himself as a candidate for a 2027 roster spot. However, his performance drops significantly against right-handed pitchers, where he's hitting just .147 with a 22 wRC+, a weakness he'll need to address to secure an everyday role. Brito's versatility across multiple positions, particularly second base, could help him compete with underperforming incumbents Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo. His ability to play multiple positions also provides insurance if Spencer Steer's offseason wrist surgery causes a lengthy recovery.
Blog Red MachineSpencer Steer's surgery could quietly settle major Reds offseason debate
Spencer Steer will undergo wrist surgery next week after suffering the injury during an at-bat against St. Louis in late July. The procedure effectively ends speculation about trading the Reds utility player this offseason, as few teams would acquire a player recovering from complicated surgery. Steer, who was hitting .238 with 16 home runs before being sidelined, is expected to return by spring training and will enter his second year of salary arbitration eligibility next season.
Blog Red MachineSpencer Steer To Undergo Wrist Surgery
Spencer Steer will have surgery next week to repair a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist, with the Reds expecting him ready for Spring Training. The 28-year-old utility player injured his wrist on a swing in late July and attempted rehabilitation for months before experiencing discomfort during increased batting activity over the weekend. Reliever Tony Santillan will also undergo hip labrum surgery, though his recovery timeline remains unclear. Steer hit 16 home runs this season with a .238/.319/.421 slash line, excelling against left-handed pitchers but struggling against righties.
MLB Trade RumorsSteer (wrist) and Santillan (hip) to undergo surgery for injuries
MLB.com RedsCincinnati Reds vs Atlanta Braves – September 23, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds look to extend their series lead after defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-0 in the opener, with game two scheduled for 7:15pm ET at Truist Park. Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott will face Braves veteran Chris Sale, who is making his final regular season start before the playoffs. Abbott has struggled recently, failing to complete five innings in any of his last four starts, while the 37-year-old Sale has allowed just one home run over his last 59 innings since the All-Star break. The Reds also announced that reliever Tony Santillan and utilityman Spencer Steer will both undergo surgery within the next week.
Redleg NationCincinnati Reds’ Spencer Steer, Tony Santillan to undergo surgery
Cincinnati Reds infielder Spencer Steer will have wrist surgery in Arizona next week and is expected to return for spring training, while reliever Tony Santillan will undergo hip labrum surgery Thursday in Nashville. Steer, who played 98 games this season with a .238 batting average before injuring himself on July 26, initially attempted to rehab the injury but felt pain when resuming baseball activities. Santillan struggled significantly this year with a 6.42 ERA across 40.2 innings, a sharp decline from his 2.44 ERA in 2023, and has no set return timeline following his procedure.
Redleg NationReds release yet another Nick Krall acquisition from the 2022 trade deadline
The Cincinnati Reds released minor-league shortstop Victor Acosta on Tuesday, continuing a pattern of failed acquisitions from the 2022 trade deadline. Acosta, obtained from San Diego in the Brandon Drury deal, never progressed beyond A-Ball despite playing over 400 minor-league games and was hitting .248/.339/.428 this season before his release. Several other prospects from that deadline haul have also departed the organization, including Andrew Moore and Levi Stoudt from the Luis Castillo trade, while remaining pieces like Edwin Arroyo and Noelvi Marte have underperformed at Triple-A. Spencer Steer stands as the lone success from those deadline trades but is currently sidelined with a wrist injury.
Blog Red MachineReds News: Chase Burns shut down, Spencer Steer Fall League, TJ Friedl's future
Chase Burns' season ended when the Reds placed the 26-year-old pitcher on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, though the injury is not considered severe. In his first full major league season, Burns made 29 starts with a 2.86 ERA, struck out nearly 30% of batters faced, and accumulated 154⅓ innings pitched while earning an All-Star selection and a seven-year, $105 million contract extension. Spencer Steer will participate in the Arizona Fall League to continue rehabbing from a wrist injury suffered in late July, with surgery still a possibility if conservative treatment fails. The Reds designated outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment after he batted .172 with a 43 wRC+ in 91 games this season.
Blog Red MachineReds claim Oswaldo Cabrera from New York Yankees, promote Julian Aguiar
The Cincinnati Reds claimed versatile infielder Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the Yankees and recalled pitcher Julian Aguiar following his Tommy John surgery recovery. Cabrera, a 27-year-old switch-hitter, will provide roster depth for the final home series, while Aguiar replaces Julian Garcia, whose season ended due to elbow surgery requiring loose body removal. The Reds also moved Spencer Steer to the 60-day injured list to create the necessary roster spots.
Red ReporterCincinnati Reds acquire Oswaldo Cabrera, call up Julian Aguiar
The Cincinnati Reds claimed utility infielder Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the New York Yankees and called up pitcher Julian Aguiar from Triple-A Louisville. To make roster space, the Reds moved Spencer Steer to the 60-day injured list and placed reliever Julian Garcia on the 15-day injured list with loose bodies in his elbow. Cabrera has played 304 career games across five seasons with the Yankees, hitting .232 for his career, while Aguiar is returning from Tommy John surgery after making his MLB debut in 2024.
Redleg NationReds add former Yankees infielder Oswaldo Cabrera amid flurry of roster moves
The Cincinnati Reds claimed infielder/outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the New York Yankees and moved utility player Spencer Steer to the 60-day injured list to make roster space. The Reds also recalled pitcher Julian Aguiar from Triple-A Louisville and placed right-hander Julian Garcia on the 15-day IL with loose bodies in his elbow, effectively ending Garcia's rookie season. Cabrera hit .288 with a 105 wRC+ in 122 games for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate this season and has over 300 career major league games.
Blog Red MachineReds Claim Oswaldo Cabrera
The Reds acquired infielder/outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the Yankees after New York designated him for assignment. Cincinnati created roster space by moving Spencer Steer to the 60-day injured list. The Reds also recalled right-hander Julian Aguiar and placed Julian Garcia on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow loose bodies.
MLB Trade RumorsSteer (right wrist sprain) cleared to increase activities, but likely won't return in 2026
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