It's A Nice Day in the Desert Let's Play Two

Ernie Banks is nowhere near Phoenix but his sentiment is alive in the Reds' camp.

Half the team will travel the 101 loop to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to play the Colorado Rockies.  Aroldis Chapman will start there on his 25th birthday.  It will be the first day in Chapman's most recent transition from closer to starter.  He showed up in the Reds' Goodyear clubhouse wearing skinny black jeans and sparkling tennis shoes, looking like Grace Jones.

The lineup behind Chapman is:

Xavier Paul LF

Brandon Phillips 2B

Chris Heisey RF

Neftali Soto 1B

Jack Hannahan 3B

Denis Phipps CF

Zack Cozart SS

Miguel Olivo C

Nevin Ashley DH

Aroldis Chapman P

The other crew of Reds will play the Arizona Diamondbacks in Goodyear Ball Park.

Jay Bruce sat out three games with a sore right heel.  Todd Frazier sat out three games with a tight calf.

Both are playing against Arizona.  Mike Leake, who is fighting to keep a spot in the starting rotation, will make his spring debut.

The lineup is:

Shin-Soo Choo CF

Emmanuel Burris SS

Joey Votto 1B

Ryan Ludwick LF

Jay Bruce RF

Todd Frazier 3B

Jason Donald 2B

Corky Miller C

Yorman Rodriguez DH

Mike Leake P

Leake will face:

Adam Eaton CF

Willie Bloomquist 2B

Gerardo Parra RF

Paul Goldschmidt 1B

Jason Kubel LF

Rod Barajas C

Mark Teahen 3B

A.J. Pollock DH

John McDonald SS

Ian Kennedy P

Kennedy was the Diamondbacks' staff ace in 2011 with a 21-4 record and a dazzling 2.88 ERA. Wade Miley received most of the attention last season with a 16-11 season but Kennedy pitched right with him, turning in a 15-12 record, although his ERA grew to 4.02.

The Reds' Yorman Rodriguez had two hits and three RBI against Arizona on Wednesday,  Now, 20 years old, Rodriguez signed as a non-drafter free agent at the age of 16.  The youngster from Ocumare de la Costa, Venezuela apparently had a tough time adjusting to the quick wealth.

Rodriguez needed to be in camp to help him re-focus.

"Talent isn't the issue," Dusty Baker said.  "Talent was never the issue, getting the head and the attitude right was part of growing up and becoming a man.  That's why he's in camp.  He really didn't deserve to be in camp.  We're hoping being in camp with the older guys would help get him back on track."

Professionally edited by ML Schirmer
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