Jeimer Candelario

"I knew he was going to be a little sore," manager Terry Francona said. "He is ok. He's going to go hit in the cage. My guess is he'll be available off the bench tonight and probably ready to play tomorrow." Jeimer Candelario is at first base tonight.

The Reds are going to take is slowly with Steer -- who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts at DH during Thursday's season opener -- at the outset of the regular season after missing most of spring training with a shoulder ailment. The 27-year-old will get some extra time off in the coming days, but the positive sign for fantasy managers is that he doesn't appear at risk of requiring a trip to the injured list. It'll be Jeimer Candelario taking a turn at DH on Saturday afternoon with Santiago Espinal at the hot corner.

Candelario had a quiet spring after his rather quiet 2024 season, but he engaged in some timely hitting today. He already has half as many three-RBI games this year as he did last year.

With Spencer Steer (shoulder) still unable to throw and Will Benson sent to Triple-A, it looks like Lux will get the first shot to be the regular left fielder against right-handed pitching and his spot in the middle of the order could make for solid RBI value. That means Jeimer Candelario will also get to be in the starting lineup at third base, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first. The Reds full Opening Day lineup is: TJ Friedl CF, Matt McLain 2B, Elly De La Cruz SS, Gavin Lux LF, Jeimer Candelario 3B, Spencer Steer DH, Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B, Jake Fraley RF, and Jose Trevino C.

WIth Lux hitting left-handed and Candelerio a switch-hitter, it would be Lux getting the starts against right-handers and Candelario against lefties. Candelario would likely get in the lineup against righties at a different position; likely designated hitter. Lux was acquired from the Dodgers this winter, and Cincinnati will give him a chance to live up to his potential this spring.