Injured Reds Limp Home With Balls In The Air

If Bryan Price would have know it was this difficult, would he have taken the job as Reds' manager..  As many as eight players, including newcomer Brett Marshall on the disabled list to start the season.

"We have a lot of balls in the air right now," Price. "I wish I could be more direct right now but I really don't know who will be on our team, right now.  I just don't want anyone crossing the street."

Tony Cingrani was the only starter that didn't have any visible aches or pains this spring.

Cingrani pitched seven solid innings, Billy Hamilton hit two triples and the Cincinnati Reds topped the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-1 Thursday in a split-squad game.

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Both players will be on a major league roster for the first time.

 "I'm beyond excited. It is a dream come true," said Cingrani, who hadn't had a chance to call home with the news. "It is unbelievable for me and Billy. I played with Billy a lot (in the minor leagues). It will be unbelievable for both of us.

Cingrani found out earlier that he will start the second game of the season against St. Louis on April 2. It's his first time on an opening-day roster.

The 24-year old left-hander allowed one run and five hits, including a homer by Nick Evans. Cingrani walked one but picked off two runners.

"Cingrani is the confident kind. He's not emotionally fragile," Reds' first-year manager Bryan Price said.

 Hamilton also singled. The speedster is expected to be in the opening day lineup, leading off in center field.

 Hamilton almost hit his second homer of the spring. His drive bounced high off the wall and got past right fielder Jordan Parraz, and Hamilton took a wide turn at third but held.

On deck batter, Brandon Phillips, got excited. He was jumping up and down while waiving Hamilton on.

The Reds' speedster left no doubt in Price's mind from his play this spring.

 "He's been terrific," Price said. "His approach has been impeccable. He has kept the ball out of the air except for two sacrifice flys he hit the other day. His defense has been impeccable too."

Cingrani allowed 14 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings in five prior spring starts. Minor injuries to Homer Bailey and Mike Leake created an opening for Cingrani, who has earned his first opening day roster spot, to move up in the rotation.

 "Statistically, it hasn't been a good spring, but he has improved his change up and breaking ball," Price said.

Reds: Devin Mesoraco hasn't played in 10 days with a strained oblique.

"Devin has to play. He has to catch, throw, hit and run. It is unlikely that he will join us but we haven't signed off on putting him on the disabled list," Price said...Brett Marshall is slowed by a strained tendon in his middle finger. He strained it in the game on Wednesday against the White Sox. "Marshall is seeing a hand specialist in Phoenix today," Price said.

Brett Marshall and Devin Mesoraco may join, Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Broxton, who pitched in a minor league game today, Sean Marshall, Mat Latos, Jack Hannahan and Skip Schumaker on the disabled list.

The Reds named Johnny Cueto to start opening day against the St. Louis Cardinals.

 "When Johnny's been healthy, he's been our number one starter legitimately, for four years" Price said.

Cingrani will start the second game against St. Louis on April 2. Homer Bailey will pitch against the Cardinals on April 3. Mike Leake will open the first road series against the New York Mets on April 4.  Alfredo Simon will pitch against the Mets on April fifth.  The Reds expect Mat Latos to return in time to start when his turn comes around on April 11 against Tampa Bay.

The Reds will leave injured players behind to get some work in minor league games while the team breaks camp with several non-roster players, Roger Bernadina, Chris Nelson and Jason Bourgeois. The Reds have to make 40-man roster moves by Monday.

"We've discussed it already just trying to figure out what to do with the 40-man roster and what moves to make to accommodate the players we're going to need to add to the roster are very, very painful decisions to make," Price said. "Certainly there's a chance we could lose some players over the course of these transactions with the guys moving to the 40-man, 25-man roster. I don't think we're going to take it all the way up to Opening Day. But I can answer your questions right now."

The Reds play against their minor league affiliates in Pensacola on Friday night and Louisville on Saturday afternoon. There will be no workout on Sunday by major league rule. Mike Leake will start Friday. Homer Bailey will start Saturday.