REDS BLOG

Ryan Ludwick dealing with 'discomfort' in quad

C. Trent Rosecrans
crosecrans@enquirer.com
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Ryan Ludwick (48) hits a RBI fielder's choice in the first inning.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Not only were the Reds playing a man short in the absence of Joey Votto, they were also having to be careful with Ryan Ludwick.

Ludwick wasn't in the starting lineup on Monday but did pinch-hit during the team's 15-inning win. He wasn't in the lineup again on Tuesday, but this time he stayed on the bench when the Reds shuffled players. Backup shortstop and Tuesday's starting third baseman Ramon Santiago finished the game playing left field.

"He's got just a little bit of discomfort in the top of his quad," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Ludwick. "It's enough where we didn't want to run him around in the outfield. He hit yesterday, he could have played yesterday, he could have played today. That being said, we don't want to have him out there somewhat hobbled trying to battle his way through that game. We felt better that we use him off the bench, we have guys who are 100 percent healthy that can go out there and play and we'll take a look tomorrow and see how he's feeling."

If Ludwick isn't available, that leaves the Reds down to three bench players. Day after day, Price has said he hasn't felt at a disadvantage because of his short bench, but at some point, the team is short -- and getting shorter, it seems, every day.