Bruce out of lineup prior to Trade Deadline

SAN DIEGO — If Sunday is in fact right fielder Jay Bruce’s last game with the Reds before Monday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline, he spent it out of the starting lineup. After initially penciling Bruce in the order, manager Bryan Price decided to scratch him against the Padres.

According to Price, no deal was imminent for Bruce.

“Nothing has happened, but I’m just giving him the day off today. It’s a little bit of a mental blow,” Price said. “This kid has been through the ringer with this for a couple of years. And it’s tough, because he loves it here. It doesn’t mean anything is going to happen. We might be playing Tuesday with Jay in right field. You can only imagine what it’s like to be out there, not knowing exactly what your future looks like.

“I’m not doing anything based on a request by him or anyone else.”

The Deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, when the Reds have a scheduled day off. With Bruce out, Adam Duvall shifted to right field and Jose Peraza was given the start in left.

Bruce, who saw his five-game streak with a home run end on Friday, has largely been able to block out the distraction of trade rumors. But he said it has been weighing on him as …

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