‘They pay me to play,’ says healthy Reds’ Moustakas
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Looking back at the play on which he tweaked his shoulder, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Mike Moustakas was satisfied with the diving stop he made on a sharp ground ball Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.
On Sunday, Moustakas returned to the Reds lineup, continuing his preparation as the Reds full-time starting third baseman.
But for a player who battled foot pain for nearly the entire 2021 season and ended the year on the injured list with plantar fasciitis, Moustakas saw his defensive range as a good sign.
“They pay me to play baseball,” Moustakas said. “Not being out there, it doesn't feel like you're a part of the team. I've always been a guy that wants to get on the field, and that's never going to stop. Now, I'm starting to move well again. It's just good to be out there playing baseball again. I missed it all of last year.”
Moustakas played in only 62 games last year due to the foot injury. He tried to play through it in May, went on the injured list and was out until August. When he returned, he initially platooned with Eugenio Suárez at third base. Then, since Moustakas hit .177 between Aug. 6 and Sept. 20, Suárez took over as the full-time starter.
Moustakas tried to play through the injury. In the process, he had the worst statistical season of his career, hitting .208 with six home runs and 22 RBIS.
“(We need him) just to be him, be Mike Moustakas, be healthy and be a big part of this team,” manager David Bell said. “I'd like him to play as much as he possibly can because he's a good player who adds a lot to our lineup. If he's healthy, he's going to be a big part of our team in the middle of our lineup.”
Heading into spring training, the Reds were planning to use Moustakas' versatility to keep him in the lineup. He initially expected to play some third base, second base and first base while rotating as the designated hitter.
Following the Suárez trade, Moustakas is expected to be the starting third baseman.
“I've always been able to play third base pretty well,” Moustakas said. “Just taking more reps there consistently will be good for me, but there are a lot more positions I can play –– third base, first base and the DH. We'll be able to mix and match and get guys days off, so that'll be helpful as the season progresses.”
If the Reds hadn't traded Winker and Suárez, Moustakas likely wouldn't be hitting in the middle of the Reds lineup. Now, he's one of the best remaining power hitters on the team, and the Reds are counting on Moustakas to get back to the All-star level he played at in 2019.
The Reds will now likely use Moustakas as a power bat in the middle of the order.
“For me, it's about playing hard and showing these guys what I've learned over the years,” Moustakas said. “It's about having fun. This is a good team we have here. We just have to go out there, focus and set our goals each and every pitch. If we do that, that's where we're going to be moving forward.”