Arroyo Has Mono...Three Players Fight For One Roster Spot

Bronson Arroyo does not have valley fever.  He has mono which has sapped his strength for two solid weeks.

Arroyo plans to pitch threw it but will probably not be able to work as many innings as he would normally.

Fred Lewis, Juan Francisco and Jeremy Hermida are the last survivors for the last spot on the bench.

All are lefthanded hitters.  Francisco is a thirdbaseman but the Reds have used him in the outfield in minor league games and on exhibition game.  He would be important to spell Scott Rolen at thirdbase.  Lewis is on the 40-man roster and has a $900,000 contract.  The Reds would have to eat that money if he does not make the team.  They have done that before.  Several years ago, they owed Mike Stanton over $3 million and released him.

Hermida has hit well this spring. He is on a minor league contract.  The Reds would have to lose someone from the 40-man roster if he makes the team.

Devin Mesoraco, Dave Sappelt and Chris Valaika were reassigned to the minor league camp.

Sappelt hit .564 but has only a handful of games at Triple A.  His base running and fielding need work.

"All three of them had good springs," Dusty Baker said.  "They impressed us and other teams I'm sure.  They all got a lot of at bats."

Baker was asked if he ever cut someone that hit over .500

"No, but he's not the first one," Baker said..  "Bryce Harper was over .300 and they sent him out two weeks ago."

Harper was the first player taken in the 2010 draft by the Washington Nationals.

"Sappelt made the most of his opportunities.  If he keeps doing what he's doing he will be here soon enough.  He's only two and a half years out of college.  He's way ahead."

Baker had to talk to him about a base running error on Friday.  Sappelt hit a double but pulled up and wasn't watching the throw and failed to take third when the throw was bad.