Skip Schumaker Joins Mat Latos And Others To DL

Mar 3, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Skip Schumaker (25) hits a double against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos is expected to start the season on the disabled list and second baseman/outfielder Skip Schumaker is out for a month with a dislocated left shoulder.

Latos, who is still recovering from offseason knee surgery, will not be ready for the start of the season, manager Brian Price said.

“We had a time frame for Mat. If he reached a certain level by a certain date, he could start on that game April 5. That opportunity has come and gone,” Price said.

The Reds’ pitching staff has several other injuries. Backup closer Jonathan Broxton is not expected to be available for the season opener and left-handed reliever Sean Marshall has a sore shoulder.

Starting pitchers Johnny Cueto  and Homer Bailey, however, should be ready to make their first starts of the year.

Schumaker left Friday’s spring training  game against the Kansas City Royals after diving after a line drive hit by a player  in the left center-field gap in the seventh inning. Schumacher landed hard on the shoulder.

Schumaker said he does not need surgery and the shoulder was popped back in. He was batting .441 this spring, and was impressing everybody.

In terms of replacing the Reds’ utility player, outfielder Roger Bernadina can play all three positions and is batting .419 in the spring. Jason Bourgeois, an outfielder, can also play in the infield. Price said Bourgeois will start playing second base. Cincinnati also has Kristopher Negron and Chris Nelson as non-roster outfielders in camp who could fill a spot.

Until then, hang in there Reds fans opening day is getting closer, but these injuries are starting to be an everyday occurrence for this team unfortunately.