Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are down to just three Opening Day starters in the lineup, and at five under .500 and 11.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, it's time for the Reds to look ahead.

Optimists could cite the 5.5 games the Reds are from the last wild-card spot, so long as they also name the seven teams that would have to be jumped just to get there.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips left Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning after suffering a strained groin.    

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The Cincinnati Reds received a major blow on Tuesday night, as outfielder Marlon Byrd suffered a fractured wrist in the team's 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Byrd Fractures Wrist, Timetable for Return Unknown

Tuesday, June 2

Jim Day of Fox Sports Ohio has details of Byrd's injury:    

Even if the Cincinnati Reds don't get back into contention, they are going to be a team that has a big impact on the pennant race.

Why? Because the team has plenty of attractive trade chips.

The proverbial window appears to be closing on this Reds squad. Some of the key players are entering the final year(s) of their contracts, which will force the club to make some tough decisions. Keeping those players would certainly help the club stay relevant, but trading them would help the organization in the future.

It's what's on the agenda when a team is eight games under .500 and 11.5 games out of first before June. Because a Reds rebuild seems all but certain with ace Johnny Cueto playing in the final year of his contract, it's time to assess what's worked and what's in store.

Johnny Cueto was ruled out for his scheduled start May 24 due to soreness in his elbow and general stiffness he's been experiencing since his start against the Kansas City Royals on May 19. Cueto remains day-to-day.

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At this juncture, the Cincinnati Reds have no idea what they're going to do at the deadline.

They're 18-17, 6.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central and just a half game behind the final wild card spot. That makes it particularly challenging for the Reds' brass to decide what to do with this roster at such a pivotal fork in the road, one where the Reds and ace Johnny Cueto probably part ways.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips left Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves with a big toe injury.

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When Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto bumped umpire Chris Conroy during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, it was only a matter of time before Major League Baseball took action.

Based on your general disposition, you see the Cincinnati Reds in one of the two following lights: They're a team at or floating around .500 with baseball's worst OBP and worst bullpen ERA, or they're a team at .500 and tied for the remaining wild-card slot.

History suggests Reds owner Bob Castellini will see the latter. He's a competitive soul, so long as the Reds can sniff a playoff spot, don't expect them to sell.