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Steer is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.
Steer is just 1-for-13 at the plate to start the season, so he'll get a day to regroup. Will Benson is handling left field and batting sixth in Steer's stead.
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Reds' Spencer Steer: Moving around as advertised
Rotowire
Steer started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 3-2 win over Boston.
Steer made his first start of the season at first base after serving as the left fielder Thursday and Saturday. The plan announced this spring, when Steer started at five different positions, was that he would primarily play left field but could also slot in at various spots. In addition to his starting positions thus far, Steer also moved mid-game Saturday to first base and then third base. That roster flexibility helps manager Terry Francona navigate in-game situations, while also ensuring Steer gets a full game of plate appearances.
Steer started in left field and went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's spring game against Kansas City.
Steer is expected to be the team's primary left fielder, but Saturday's start was his first at the position. He played first base in his first six Cactus League games. Sal Stewart started at first base Saturday.
Reds' Spencer Steer: Addressed quad issue in offseason
Rotowire
Steer said Thursday that he cleaned up his sprinting mechanics to prevent re-injuring his quadriceps, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Steer got off to a slow start in 2025 because of a shoulder injury, but he admitted there was also a right quadriceps issue that bothered him for most of the season. "I think that had to do with my sprinting mechanics, and I cleaned that stuff up," he said. That was likely the reason he stole just seven bases after reaching double-digit swipes in each of the previous two seasons. Steer, who was a Gold Glove finalist at first base in 2025, will move around the diamond this season. His primary spot will be left field but depending on matchups, injuries and game situations, he could also see time in right field, and at first, second or third base.
Steer is expected to play some in the outfield and serve in a super utility role following the Reds' signing of Eugenio Suarez, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Suarez and Sal Stewart will soak up most of the at-bats between first base and designated hitter, and Ke'Bryan Hayes will occupy the hot corner. Steer's clearest path to playing time is in left field -- which was his primary position in 2024 -- though the 28-year-old is unlikely to settle in at one spot. He slashed an underwhelming .238/.312/.411 with 21 home runs across 146 regular-season contests in 2025, though Steer's numbers were held back by a dreadful .174/.248/.272 line in April when he played through a shoulder issue.
Reds' Spencer Steer: Gets $4 million from Cincinnati
Rotowire
The Reds and Steer avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
It's a substantial raise for Steer, who had been in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Steer produced a .238/.312/.411batting line with 21 home runs over 146 regular-season contests in 2025. He will be an everyday player for the Reds in 2026, though his position isn't locked down.
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