Former First-Round Pick To Miss "Significant Portion" Of Reds Spring Training

It's been an up-and-down first four seasons for the former first-round pick, but now, after experiencing shoulder discomfort recently, it's becoming "increasingly likely" that Cincinnati Reds' starting pitcher Justin Dunn will not be ready for Opening Day. 

David Bell said Justin Dunn will miss a “significant” portion of spring, maybe all with a shoulder issue. Nick Senzel is taking live BP soon and will be delayed in Cactus League games and “it’s going to be close” for Opening Day

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) February 23, 2023

Reds manager David Bell said that the shoulder issue will cost the 27-year-old a “significant” portion of spring training, if not all of it.

Dunn was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft, 19th overall by the New York Mets. After completing two years to begin his career with the Seattle Mariners, where he posted a 3.94 ERA in 25 total starts, things got rockier in 2022 with the Reds. In seven starts, he posted a 6.10 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP. 

His 21:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio was a real problem, and it mirrored his trouble with control throughout his 3+ years in the big leagues. He's handed out 5.8 free passes per nine innings, an untenable number. 

This will be the second consecutive season that Dunn has faced shoulder problems, and giving him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps has contributed to his control problems. 

Photo: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK