Reds at Royals, Doubleheader Day - Nick Senzel hits the IL, previews, lineup

There’s a lot going on with the Cincinnati Reds at the moment, so bear with me for a second.

After play ended on Friday in GABP as the Reds wrapped up a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, we witnessed one of the more odd scenes in recent celebration memory. As he went to run towards the infield to high-five and celebrate with teammates, CF Nick Senzel was met by coach JR House in the outfield, the latter directing the former to avoid gathering with teammates. Frustration ensued, Senzel chucked his glove into the stands in visible anger, and a day later we found out the Reds had a player’s COVID-19 test come back positive.

No names have officially been named as of yet, but after four days of being sidelined in the wake of said positive test, the Reds placed Senzel on the indeterminate Injured List ahead of their doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, activating IF Mike Moustakas in the process. It was part of a series of roster tweaks announced by the club on Twitter.

I’ll allow you to read tea leaves here.

They also announced the lineup for the first game to be played in KC today, one featuring Moose back as the DH, Shogo Akiyama sliding over the CF, and a run in the leadoff spot for one Joey Votto. Luis Castillo will toe the rubber, with first pitch set for 5:05 PM ET.

The Royals, meanwhile, will counter with Brad Keller on the mound in Game 1, with the rest of their lineup as follows:

Trevor Bauer and former Red Matt Harvey will be the starters for the second game of the set, which will start roughly whenever the hell they get around to it after completion of the first game.

Go Reds. Get back soon, Nick.