Cincinnati Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen was a center fielder in college as well as a shut-down reliever, but he hasn’t been asked to play in the field as a pro. That could change if the Reds bench gets short enough.
There was a possibility it could be short enough Sunday, with neither right fielder Scott Schebler nor center fielder Billy Hamilton in the lineup after suffering shoulder injuries the day before. Sunday, Scooter Gennett played right and Arismendy Alcantara played center.
Neither injured outfielder is expected to land on the disabled list. But while they’re unavailable – and Reds manager Bryan Price did not want to specify what each would be able to contribute before Sunday’s game – the Reds bench would be down to Patrick Kivlehan and a catcher.