Reds bring up top prospect Nick Senzel for debut
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds are bringing up top prospect Nick Senzel for his major league debut.
The 23-year-old outfielder will bat second and play center field against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
Cincinnati selected his contract from Louisville, optioned right-hander Matt Bowman to the Triple-A farm team and transferred second baseman Scooter Gennett to the 60-day injured list.
Senzel was the second overall pick in the 2016 amateur draft from Tennessee and signed for a $6.2 million bonus.
He sprained his right ankle during a minor league spring training game on March 25 and did not make his season debut at Triple-A Louisville until April 23. He hit .257 one double, one homer and two RBIs in eight games and 35 at-bats.
Senzel played third, shortstop and second before transitioning to the outfield this year.
He hit .310 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 44 games at Louisville last season before season-ending surgery on June 28 to repair a broken right index finger. He returned to play in the instructional league, then had surgery Oct. 16 for bone spurs in his left, non-throwing, elbow.
