CINCINNATI -- The most compelling reason to watch the Reds down the stretch may have been taken away by injury.
Billy Hamilton suffered a strained oblique checking a swing Sunday. Hamilton had an ultrasound Monday. He was meeting with the trainers as game time approached. He declined to speak with reporters until after the meeting.
The exact prognosis probably wasn't revealed until after Monday's game with the Mets.
“It might not be a season-ender,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He’ll rest five to seven days, and then we’ll revisit it."
But when it comes to baseball and obliques, the news is not often good. Obliques are typically four- to six-week deals. That would be season-ending.
“(That) would be a big loss,” Price said. “Billy does a lot for our ballclub from an energy perspective, defensively, and he’s starting to come into his own as an offensive player.
“So I’d hate to lose him for the duration.”
Jose Peraza started in center field Monday. He’ll get the bulk of playing time if Hamilton’s out.
Hamilton is hitting .295 with a .371 on-base percentage with 36 stolen bases in the 44 games since the All-Star Break. He leads the majors with a career-high 58 steals. And he’s the leading candidate to win the Gold Glove in center field.
