Reds manager Bryan Price said Saturday that there will be no competition at shortstop between Zack Cozart and Suarez during spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds manager Bryan Price said Saturday that there will be no competition at shortstop between Zack Cozart and Suarez during spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis:

The comments from Price cement Cozart into the starting job and put Suarez solely in the discussion for a utility role out of camp. Suarez has shown an ability to get on base and hit for some power in the upper levels of the minors, but apparently the team values Cozart's defense too much to think about removing him from the starting role at this point. That doesn't mean Suarez can't eventually supplant him, if Cozart's offensive struggles from a year ago carry over into the regular season.