Jason Vosler takes over as Cincinnati Reds first baseman with Joey Votto injured

The wildest part about Jason Vosler starting at first base for the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day – the first time someone besides Joey Votto has started there in 15 years – is he wasn’t supposed to be in spring training with them.

Vosler signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on Jan. 18, which included an invite to spring training. Over the next week, the Mariners signed Tommy La Stella and Colin Moran, clouding Vosler’s path to a roster spot.

Ten days after Vosler signed with the Mariners, they granted his release. He signed with the Reds on a minor league deal on Feb. 1 and made the Opening Day roster two months later.

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“That’s a weird one,” Vosler said. “They called me a few days later and said we’re going to sign a couple of other guys that fit the role. We didn’t anticipate that. They said it’s your choice. If you want to go, go. If you want to stay, stay, we’d love to have you. At that point, I was like if you allow me, I’d like to reopen my free agency.

“(Seattle) was a good fit at first. It still might have been a good fit, but when they called and allowed me to go, I wanted to see what was still open and still out there. This just seemed like a better fit once that happened.”

Vosler, hitting fifth in the Reds’ Opening Day lineup, became the first non-Joey Votto first baseman to start for the Reds on Opening Day since Scott Hatteberg in 2008. Votto announced earlier this week he’d begin the season on the 10-day injured list.

The 29-year-old Vosler is the only lefthanded-hitting infielder or catcher on the 26-man roster. He spent the last two seasons as a backup third baseman with the San Francisco Giants. He hit .265 with four homers and 12 RBI in 98 at-bats last year.

Tyler Stephenson and Wil Myers have experience at first base, but the Reds wanted Vosler's bat against righthanded pitching.

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“He’s matured as a hitter, maybe a little bit later, and I think the timing is right where he can be in the prime of his career,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “I think we’re getting him at the beginning of that. He’s shown a lot as far as the quality of at-bat. He’s very locked in at the plate right now, which is good taking that into the season. Those things and the position fit made it right.”

Vosler had 10 hits in 38 at-bats (.263 batting average) with two homers, two doubles and a triple during spring training games. He seemed to hit better at the end of camp, which he attributed to the team’s hitting coaches helping fix a flaw in his swing.

One of his main issues last year, he said, was being jammed on a lot of pitches when he was struggling.

“I didn’t really – in my own head – grasp the reason for the issue,” Vosler said. “It was easy to say, ‘oh, you’re just late.’ I’m like, ‘I know I’m late, but I’m getting jammed. What am I doing?’ I knew my hands were going out and around, but they identified some reasons why that was happening. It was more not just fixing that but fixing the issues leading to that.”

Assistant hitting coach Tim LaMonte worked closely with Vosler using Blast Motion, a sensor placed on the knob of the bat. It’s benefitted Vosler because he has a better understanding of how his body moves during his swing. Vosler says he’s a little more direct to the ball and more efficient with his hips.

“I’m glad the way it worked out,” Vosler said. “Not just if I made the Opening Day roster or not, it just seems like this is the right fit for me. I feel I’m very blessed with the hitting coaches here and they identified what I think are my biggest issues. I’m just really excited for that part of my game to hopefully take off with those adjustments.”

Stuart Fairchild fills last spot on Reds roster

The Reds cut outfielder Stuart Fairchild from major league camp on March 20, but he made the Opening Day roster Thursday.

“It was a tough decision sending him out in the first place,” Bell said. “He does a lot of things that help our team win. He’s done it at this level. Outstanding defender, runs well, hits for power. He’s definitely a weapon off the bench and is going to get starts as well.”

Fairchild always remained on the 40-man roster, which was a bonus when the Reds were looking for a righthanded-hitting outfielder. Henry Ramos, a switch-hitter and non-roster invitee to camp, was one of the last cuts.

Amid the Opening Day roster shuffling, outfielder Nick Solak was designated for assignment. He struck out in eight of his 20 at-bats during spring training games.