GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Based on how well he felt throwing in the offseason, Reds right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn had every reason to think his shoulder issues were finally behind him and that he could challenge for a 2023 rotation spot.
But the shoulder soreness returned last week and shut down Dunn from throwing in camp. An MRI exam revealed a strain in his right subscapularis, the same muscle in the rotator cuff that was injured in 2021 and ’22.
“Luckily, it’s not as bad. But it’s one of those things, frankly, that I’m pretty freaking tired of this process. I want to be healthy,” Dunn said on Sunday. “We all want answers as to why this is going on. I did too well this offseason. I was feeling great. Honestly, I was at a point where I was throwing harder than I had in a long time and was starting to feel like myself. For a flare-up to come out of nowhere was uneasy and it was unsettling.”
Dunn is scheduled to fly to New York this week to be examined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Altchek.
When the Reds acquired Dunn in the March 14, 2022, trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Mariners, they were aware the right-hander was still dealing with his 2021 shoulder injury. But the club liked his upside and was confident he could get beyond his issues.
“I just want to pitch. I thank the Cincinnati Reds wholeheartedly for believing in me and sticking with me through this process and trying to help me find answers,” Dunn said. “I don’t think they’ve seen the kid they’ve traded for. I don’t think really anyone has seen the kid they’ve traded for and that’s my first and foremost goal. I want to do everything I can in my power to show them that the kid they traded for is pretty freaking good.”
Dunn, 27, made his Reds debut on Aug. 8 vs. the Mets at Citi Field and was 1-3 with a 6.10 ERA in seven starts. From mid-September, he finished the season on the injured list with right shoulder tightness.
Dunn is expected to miss most, if not all, of the rest of camp. Without him in the mix, Connor Overton, Luis Cessa, Luke Weaver, Brandon Williamson and Levi Stoudt are in the competition for the final two spots in Cincinnati’s rotation.
“I know that when I’m healthy, I can pitch at this level consistently,” Dunn said. “It’s time for me to get healthy.”
More items from Reds camp on Sunday
Manager David Bell said that center fielder Nick Senzel was not close to playing in any spring games. Senzel’s offseason progress…
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