CINCINNATI (AP) - The Reds activated utility player Skip Schumaker off the disabled list on Saturday, ending six tough weeks for one of Cincinnati’s offseason acquisitions.
Schumaker dislocated his left shoulder while diving for a ball in the outfield on March 21 in Arizona. He was having a good spring training up to that point, batting .441 with a homer and seven RBIs.
Cincinnati signed Schumaker to a $5 million, two-year deal in November to bolster its bench. He was among eight Reds who opened the season on the disabled list.
“It’s tougher being on a new team, that’s for sure,” Schumaker said. “You want to make a good impression with the guys and the management and everything else, and for that to happen - in spring training, of all times, and that late in spring training - was pretty frustrating.
“You want to do everything you can to prove your worth, so to speak, and not being able to play one game and it’s May already is tough. Hopefully, I can get in there and help the team sooner than later.”
Outfielder Roger Bernadina was designated for assignment to the minors to open a roster spot. Bernadina played in 23 games with five starts, batting .143 with one RBI. He came to big league camp as a non-roster player and made the team because of all the injuries.
Bernadina was surprised that he got designated for assignment. If he rejects the demotion, the Reds will have to either trade him or release him. He wasn’t sure on Saturday what he would choose.
“I’m glad I got the chance to do some things,” Bernadina said. “I wasn’t able to play a lot, so I couldn’t get into a groove. We’ll see what happens.”
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