On Monday the Reds got encouraging pitching performances after a “Black Cloud” Sunday in which it had two projected starting pitchers go down with injuries.
Anthony DeSclafani, barring a medical miracle, will be nursing a strained left oblique on Opening Day. Brandon Finnegan left the game Sunday after two batters with a knot in his bicep that prevented him from getting a good grip on the ball. The knot was worked out and he will require a couple of days rest but should be ready when the bell rings.
Monday’s pitching performances lifted the spirits of Reds’ manager Bryan Price
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Monday’s pitching performances lifted the spirits of Reds’ manager Bryan Price
Bailey pitched four innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out two.
"I wasn't very sharp in the first inning. As the game went on I got a lot better," said Bailey, who is healthy for the first time in three seasons. "The biggest thing is health. Right now I feel really well so, Then its just executing pitches. Right now it's still early, you are going to have those little misses. I'm catching more plate then, I normally would but right now I'd rather catch more of the plate than walk guys. As you sharpen up the groundballs get a little bit softer."
Price saw as much encouragement as one can after a four-inning, four run stint. Results aren’t as important as the quality of pitches.
"I thought the only inning he didn't throw the ball well was the first," Price said. "He gave up the homer on the second pitch. He had a walk and a ball down the line by Pujols. Other than that the two runs in the third inning, were from a couple ground balls, well placed. After that he was a lot better. It was a really strong finish."
Garrett and Reed Step Up
Two pitchers that were left out of the starting pitching discussion made their statement for inclusion on Monday.
Amir Garrett and Cody Reed pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Bailey and threw the ball well.
"They were good, really good," Price said. "A couple of lefties attacking the zone, throwing strikes with good competitive stuff. I am really happy for Cody. He made one mistake. It was a high change up that Herrera made a nice play to end his first inning. Other than that there were a lot of balls on the ground. He had really good pitch quality, fastball, slider, change up. That's what we were really hoping to see. He looks a lot more like the guy we got in the trade (for Johnny Cueto)."
Senzel Sizzles
Reds top draft choice from 2016 started at thirdbase. He had a nice game defensively as well as hitting an RBI single.
"He was spectacular," Price said. "He made some really tough plays. He really, really looked comfortable with an accurate strong arm."
Senzel may not be Major League ready at this time but he has impressed everyone with his abilities and hustle this spring.
Hamilton Bunt Single
Billy Hamilton, who has been working with Hall of Famer, Joe Morgan, on bunting, laid down a bunt single. Hamilton was caught stealing by Renee Rivera. Morgan was asked to come in for three days this winter to work with Hamilton. Morgan made two trips to Goodyear this spring to help out.
Hamilton was hitless until he singled up the middle on Sunday.
Dilson Herrera Clears Waivers
Herrera came to the Reds in the trade for Jay Bruce. Known for a good bat, Herrera, who was out of options, was expected to compete for the Reds secondbase job.
Shoulder pain has kept Herrera from playing the field the last two springs. Price and his coaching staff haven’t been able to see him perform at second or thirdbase.
On Tuesday, Herrera cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Louisville. He will remain in the Major League camp as a non-roster invitee.
The move leaves 38 players on the 40-man roster. The Reds can add two more players. That is good news for Patrick Kivlehan, Phil Gosselin and Ben Revere, who are currently non-roster players.
International League
Bailey got Japanese rookie Shohei Ohtani out three times but got away with a hanging curve ball. The Japanese media was all over it.
"He just missed a curve ball I threw him. I'm glad he did," Bailey said. "I really want to see him pitch. To come over can't be an easy transition. To go both ways would be even harder but I wish the guy the best. Some of his swings that I saw, my fastball would play better. He fouled my curveball straight back."
Ohtani hit into a pair of ground outs to shortstop while facing Bailey that had an international anomaly.
Bailey from the USA, pitched to Ohtani from Japan, who hit the ball to Jose Peraza from Venezuela, who threw to Joey Votto from Canada to record the outs. Four countries and three of the seven continents were represented on each play.
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