2025 Injuries: Tanner Bibee Out, Spencer Steer In for Opening Day

Opening Day rosters have been finalized. However, there have been some late surprises. One comes from Cleveland, as the Guardians’ ace will miss his scheduled start on Opening Day due to an illness. Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Spencer Steer will start despite missing almost all of Cactus League action thanks to a shoulder injury.

Bibee misses Opening Day start

The Guardians announced on March 27, hours before their first game of 2025, that Tanner Bibee will miss his scheduled start on Opening Day due to acute gastroenteritis. It’s being reported that the stomach inflammation has been caused due to food poisoining.

The temporary loss of Tanner Bibee moves Ben Lively into the Opening Day start role, to face Cole Ragans. As of now, Cleveland’s scheduled to throw Gavin Williams and Luis Ortiz to follow Lively this coming weekend.

The Guardians have not finalized their rotation setup for their series next week against the Padres.

Steer cracked Opening Day lineup

Cincinnati added several players to the IL on March 26 to complete their Opening Day roster. But one player who was not added was Spencer Steer, who had his spring cut short thanks to a shoulder injury. Steer is in the Reds’ Opening Day lineup, batting sixth against the Giants.

Steer is in the DH slot for the Reds, who will face Logan Webb on Opening Day. The Reds have Gavin Lux, who spent most of the spring at third base, in left field. The former Dodger saw two games of action in left this spring.

As noted on the 26th, the Reds will be without Austin Hays to begin the 2025 season. Tyler Stephenson is also on the IL, meaning Jose Trevino, who signed an extension before the season, will be behind the plate.