Reds manager Bryan Price said Saturday that Cozart will not face competition for his starting job from Eugenio Suarez during spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds manager Bryan Price said Saturday that Cozart will not face competition for his starting job from Eugenio Suarez during spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis:

Suarez, who was acquired from Detroit in the Alfredo Simon trade, will be merely a fallback option in case Cozart gets hurt. It was widely assumed that Suarez would have an outside shot at the job given his abilities at the dish and Cozart's struggles last season (.221/.268/.300), but apparently the team wants Cozart to focus on improving offensively rather than looking over his shoulder.