NL Central Notes: India, Ashby, Santana, Pirates

Plantar fasciitis on the margin Jonathan India Last summer, the injury is still haunting him Reds Player availability by the start of spring training. said manager David Bell The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith Other reporters say India is not scheduled to appear in a game until March 7 or 8, as India's plantar fasciitis tore during the offseason and is still causing him some discomfort. On the plus side, the tear means India won't need to have surgery on his foot, and Bell said India will still be able to participate in baseball action as he prepares to be ready to play.

Health is just one of many uncertainties surrounding the Indians as he begins his fourth major league season. Already the subject of frequent trade rumors due to Cincinnati's plethora of emerging talent, it appears India will move into a utility role if he stays with the Reds, where he could play all over the infield, at DH, and perhaps in left field.

Other items from around the NL Central…

• Aaron Ashby He is looking forward to returning after missing almost the entire 2023 season due to arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Description of the procedure for Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal SentinelAshby said,I had some calcified muscles in my rotator cuff, so they went in there and cut it out right away. Once I came out of surgery, the doctor said to me, “This was your best case scenario.” It's a simple surgery in terms of what they did, but shoulder surgery is shoulder surgery, and it's difficult sometimesThe southpaw's only game of 2023 was seven innings of minor league rehab work in September, but he has made good progress in spring training and hopes to earn a spot in the Brewers rotation, though Rosiak points out that bullpen work could help ease Ashby's return to regular activity.
• Carlos Santana He had an interest in returning to Pirates As a free agent this winter, Santana said Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette That he expressed that to the team when he was traded to the Brewers before the trade deadline last summer. The Bucs still have some offseason interest even after signing Rudy Tellez Ostensibly to fill the void at first base, but Santana didn't know why an agreement couldn't be reached. “My agent has a very good relationship with the team, but he didn't tell me anything. I wanted to go back, but nothing happened” the first baseman said. Instead, Santana joined the Twins on a one-year, $5.25 million deal, and the Pirates will head to 2024 with Tellez and Connor Joe As the first basic faction and Andrew McCutcheon He returns as the primary DH.
• This can be difficult to read Pirates Fans but Mathematical Stephen J. Nesbitt and Ken Rosenthal Details some of the mistakes that slowed the team's rebuilding, such as a lack of success in international signings and some disconnects between traditional baseball teachings and the more modern approach of GM Ben Cherington. However, the biggest issue is of course the team's lack of spending under owner Bob Nutting, as there is less margin for error for Cherington's front office when working within a limited budget. Nesbitt and Rosenthal's article was published one day before the Buccaneers announced a five-year, $77 million extension with… Mitch Kellerwhich is one example of how little the Bucs are willing to spend in order to lock up key young players.