4 years agoCincinnati Reds second baseman/designated Josh VanMeter was optioned to the club’s alternate training site prior to Saturday’s game against St. Louis with outfielder Mark Payton taking his spot on the active roster. VanMeter struggled mightily at the dish to open 2020, having slashed .059/.158/.176 through his first 38 plate appearances. Payton will likely see extended at-bats against right-handed pitching, having demolished Triple-A pitching last season to the tune of a 1.053 OPS with 30 home runs. At this stage, Payton is a high-upside, low-priced DFS play against below average right-handed throwers, while VanMeter will need to hit well enough at the club’s alternate training site to earn another call up.--Jesse Borek
Source: Cincinnati Reds