Cincinnati Reds place 2B Mike Moustakas on 10-day IL

First, it was the COVID-19 scare that kept new Cincinnati Reds 2B Mike Moustakas sidelined. Then, it was a plunking on the forearm that caused a brief moment of concern.

Since Tuesday, though, it’s been a mysterious thigh bruise that has plagued Moose, and kept him completely sidelined. While the original hope was that he’d be back and ready as early as this Tuesday, the Reds announced Sunday that he’d be out longer than that, officially placing him on the 10-day IL.

The Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale relayed the news.

Thursday was the furthest back the club could retroactively go with the IL placement. Unfortunately, that means that while he’ll miss the entire series in Milwaukee against his former club, he’ll also miss the entire upcoming set against the Kansas City Royals, too - his first club.

Getting Tejay Antone back will certainly be a boon, as the young righty has shown himself to be one of the brighter arms in camp. Whether it comes in another spot-start in the stead of Wade Miley or as a long-man in the bullpen, Antone appears ready, willing, and able to be a contributor to this pitching staff, one that sorely needs people to step up behind the rotation’s beacons.

As for what the Reds do at 2B, it seems they’ll go with a mix/match of Christian Colon and Kyle Farmer, what with Josh VanMeter struggling early and having been optioned to the team’s Prasco facility. Hopefully, the hot/cold nature of the lineup can begin to normalize even without Moose, who looked to be a key cog in the middle of the order after signing for a club record $64 million over the winter.

Get well soon, Moose.