ST. LOUIS – That stuff about Spencer Steer’s sore neck that caused the Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman to be scratched from the lineup for the opener of this series against the Cardinals?
Forget about it.
Spencer Steer
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Not only was the problem not in his neck, contrary to the team’s initial report to media, but a chiropractor adjusted the actual rib-cage issue he had, and he was ready to play again by the game on Sept. 16, albeit, still a little tight in his back.
Steer said he had a rib “pop out of place” while he swung in the batting cage to prepare for the game Sept. 15, “and my back spasmed because of that.”
He said it made it hurt to breathe, until the chiropractor showed up Sept. 16.
“I got it popped back in,” he said. “My back’s still a little seized up, but it’s a lot better now. I was able to hit and do everything (pregame). It’ll be fine.”
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Anyone who has followed this team for the past year or two by now knows that Steer is probably the least likely Red to go on the injured list for anything. He has never been on it, and in fact, opened this season still nursing a shoulder issue that limited him exclusively to DH duties the first 20 games of the season.
In fact, he has been dealing with quadriceps issue since before the All-Star break, necessitating a maintenance program and scheduled days off.
“The biggest thing was just managing it,” said Steer, who made a diving play on a shot down the line for an out over the weekend in Sacramento. “It was something I could play through. But just trying to be smart about when I’m using my best bullets sprinting wise, because every time I sprint 100 percent it kind of sets me back a little bit. It’s like I don’t have that third gear.”
Said manager Terry Francona: “He’s gonna have to deal with it till we’re done. We just kind of know that.”Since the shoulder recovered enough to allow him to start playing first, Steer has hit .254 with 16 home runs with a .744 OPS in 120 games, despite fighting through the quad issue in an up-and-down second half.
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Along the way, he’s played his position well enough to be a candidate to be named a Gold Glove finalist.
“If you’re gonna play every day, you’re gonna be playing through stuff,” Steer said. “It’s just learning how to manage it and listening to your body and knowing what you need every day, and being smart like that.”
What you’re not gonna do, if you’re Steer, is accept that he ever needs an IL stretch.
“Bad stuff happens when you get hurt,” he said.
Bad stuff? Like Wally Pipp – the guy who played for the Reds after the whole Lou Gehrig thing?
“Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds’ Spencer Steer has rib ‘popped back in,’ plays on