Mike Moustakas scratched from Reds lineup with illness

Mike Moustakas has a mysterious illness.

Joey Votto and his Cincinnati Reds came into 2020 with high expectations for the first time in what feels like ages, but all of that positive momentum could be derailed following a concerning medical situation surrounding stud infielder Mike Moustakas.

Manager David Bell confirmed that Moustakas woke up “not feeling well” and will not be at Great American Ball Park today. Moustakas has not yet tested positive for COVID-19, and it is unaware at this time if his illness has anything to do with the coronavirus.

Mike Moustakas is a big piece in the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup in 2020.

In his first two games with the Reds, both of which have come against the lowly Detroit Tigers, Moustakas has picked up four hits in his first eight at-bats, including a moonshot home run that landed halfway up the bleachers in right-center.

While his defense is still a bit on the nightmarish side, his power from the left side will keep pitchers up at night, and adding him to a lineup that already features Votto, Nick Castellanos, and Eugenio Suarez has the Reds thinking playoffs for the first time in years. If Moustakas is to miss time, their lack of infield depth will come back to bite them.

The Reds have a lot of promise, but one or two extended absences might be enough to derail the 2020 season while teams like the Milwaukee Brewers or Chicago Cubs leap ahead of them in the NL Central standings.

Moustakas is as integral to their success this year as any position player. Hopefully this is just a minor ailment and not a sign of a larger, more serious condition that sidelines him for a good chunk of the season.