The Reds Send 11 Players to Minor League Camp

The Reds sent RHP Tejay Antone, RHP David Carpenter, RHP Ryan Hendrix, LHP Nick Lodolo, RHP Tony Santillan and LHP Josh Smith to minor league camp.

The Reds also assigned C Chris Okey, INF Jonathan India, INF Blake Trahan, OF Stuart Fairchild and OF Boog Powell to minor league camp.

The move leaves 50 players in Major League camp. 

Reds Bitten By Diamondbacks Power. Luis Castillo Starts Nick Lodolo Gets First Outing

On a rare soggy day in Goodyear, Arizona, Luis Castillo was hit hard in the fourth inning.

In his first attempt at four innings, the Arizona Diamondbacks put together five hits, two for extra bases.  The Diamondbacks put up four runs in the inning after Castillo had no problem with them in the first three innings.

Castillo pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk.  He struck out four.

"I thought Castillo was pretty good the first three innings," Freddie Benevides said.  "He was really locked in.  He left some pitches up.  He got hit around a little bit in that fourth inning but he got his work in."

The Reds jumped to an early lead when Mike Moustakas hit a home run with Nick Castellanos, who singled, on base off Taylor Clarke.

The Diamondbacks hit four home runs to win going away 10-2.  John Hicks hit a home run off Tyler Thornburg.  Josh Rojas and Trayce Thompson hit home runs off Matt Bowman.

The Reds first pick in last year's draft (7th overall), pitched in his first Cactus League game.  He gave up an infield hit to Galli Cribbs and a home run to Kevin Cron, the first two batters he faced but he came back to strike out, Alek Thomas and Geraldo Perdomo.

The 22-year old from Texas Christian University, has been in camp all spring but this was his first game action.

"I felt really confident coming into it," Lodolo said. "Its funny (Caleb) Cotham asked me if I was nervous.  I wasn't nervous. I thought I threw pretty well other than pitch up that Cron got.  Other than that I was happy with it."

"I kept telling myself to keep going," Lodolo said. "It was fun to get out there because I've been throwing bullpens and coming to the games.  Obviously, you get anxious watching everyone else do it.  I actually learned more just throwing bullpens.  I got more time with Caleb one-on-one.  I learned from doing that. I learned to attack hitters."

Lodolo pitched 121 innings between college and eight games at Billings and Dayton (18 1/3 innings).

The Reds haven't told him how many innings they plan for him this season.

The Reds had a split squad. Benevides ran the team in Goodyear.

"I thought he did good," Benevides said.  "The one pitch that he made.  He showed some composure and came back to get the next three batters out.  He's definitely composed.  He's a strike thrower right. That's what his history's been.  It was good to see him bounce back."

Reds White Sox In a Dead Heat Under The Sun. Anthony DeSclafani nearly ready

The Reds played a lot of close games last year, 54 in which the margin of victory was within one or two runs.  So far this spring that has been a trend.  Today the Reds and Chicago White Sox played to a 3-3 tie.  It was the Reds' secong straight tie and third in six days.

In all three, the Reds held the lead in the ninth only to allow tha last inning tie.  There are no extra innings in the Cactus League.

In spite of the home run that Yermin Mercedes cracked to center field off Cody Reed, the Reds pitcher had a good day all around.

"Cody just missed with the pitch before the home run," David Bell said.  A called strike with two outs would have put the Reds in the victory column.

The Reds are 7-7-3 this spring.  You can't get more balanced than that.

Anthony DeSclafani had a good four inning stint on the mound, giving up a run on three hits and a walk.  He fanned two.

"I think I have to get ahead of guys a little bit more consistently," DeSclafani said. "When I get to two strikes, I have to put guys away.  That was the only thing I wasn't really pleased about.  It was my third outing. I think it will come around."

The Reds had a good offensive day.

A big key was a Nick Senzel home run to lead off the game against Dylan Cease.  Senzel is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Mark Payton drove in a run with a single.  Scott Schebler had another hit.  Curt Casali had a single andan RBI.  The Reds had six hits and drew five walks, Casali walked with the bases loaded.

"It was a good day offensively with walks," Bell said.

Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, and Pedro Strop had scoreless innings.  Amir Garrett was good other than giving up a home run to Yasmani Grandal.

Desco was really good," Bell said.  "It was a good day of pitching all around.  I thought Amir looked good other than the home run."

Reds and Trevor Bauer Left With A Lead in Tie Game

Trevor Bauer is the first Reds' starter to pitch four innings.  With four effective innings in which he allowed one run, a home run by Arismendy Alcantara, Bauer declared himself ready.

"i walked a guy that was frustrating," said Bauer, ever the perfectionist.  "I thought the first, second and fouth innings went pretty good."

Those were thi innings in which the Los Angeles Angels failed to score off him. He retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced.

"The home run was a fastball down the middle, 2-0.  It's what happens when you get behind," Bauer said. "My command is good, 94,95 basically no adrenaline. All my stuff is sharp.  I'm ready to go. I'm pretty much always ready to pitch.  I start throwing to live hitters in December.  I come into spring and the first time off the mound, in cleats is a little bit different. One or two outings and I'm good to go."

The Reds used the home run ball to run up the score on the Angels.  Joey Votto, the second batter faced by the Angels, J.C. Romero, singled sharply to left.  One out later Matt Davidson hit his second home run in as many games.

In the third inning, Shogo Akiyama singled.  David Fletcher the Angel's second baseman made a diving stop but Akiyama was down the baseline quickly.  Votto drew his obligatory walk and after Davidson was called out for interfering with the catcher's throw.  Boog Powell homered off Romero's replacement, Jeremy Rhodes.  Powell, who signed a minor league contract in December, had not participated in games since February 23 with a contusion on his right heel.

Akiyama doubled to score Scott Schebler who walked in the fourth inning.  Luis Rengifo couldn't field Schebler's hot ground ball.  It got passed him, allowing Davidson to score.

On the pitcher's side, Brooks Raley gave up three runs in 1 2/3 innings.  R.J. Alaniz pitched a scoreless inning along with Joe Kuhnel.

The Reds led 8-4 in the top of the ninth but the minor league defense betrayed Ryan Hendrix and the Angels tied the game 8-8.  The Reds got a two-out double by Miguel Hernandez but Miguel De Leon grounded out to first to end the game.

"I don't know how many hits Joey has this spring but we talked about getting on base.  He's seen a lot of pitches and is getting on base.  Shogo had a good day," David Bell said.

Reds Out Slug Oakland Wade Miley Starts

The Reds sent Wade Miley to face the Oakland Athletics in Mesa and came out with a Cactus League victory.

The Reds had 16 hits in scoring an 11-5 decision.

Shogo Yakiyama and T.J. Friedl had two hits apiece from the leadoff spot, scoring two runs.  Scott Schebler and Alex Blandino hit two doubles each.  Matt Davidson, a power hitting first baseman, who hit 26 home runs for the Chicago White Sox in 2017 and 20 in 2018, hit a three-run home run off A's starter Sean Manaea.  Catcher Francisco Pena had two hits.

Miley gave up an opposite field home run to Matt Olson.  He was charged with two more runs after he reached his pitch count and left the game in the third inning.  David Carpenter gave up a three-run home run to Ramon Laureano.

Miley finished with 2 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on two hits but four walks.

"I was trying to go up and away on him but I missed down and away.  That's his go zone right there.  It was a 10-pitch at bat and he'd seen everything I had," Miley said.  "Overall today, I had a good cutter. I was able to throw the cutter where I wanted to.  The curve and the change up were spotty.  I never could command the curve ball.  A couple times I got ahead in the count. I tried to throw a put-away pitch and just miss. I feel good.  I got up for the third time."

David Bell saw a lot of good things with the Reds; bats.  He is not worried about Miley's outing.

"The stuff is there. I just don't think he's locked in.  It is normal for this time of the year. There are no concerns.  He looks healthy," Bell said.  "Schebler swung the bat very well today.  He made a good play in the outfield.  Really a good day all around for Scott and a lot of our position players."

"Matt Davidson has had a lot of success in his career," Bell said.  "That's why he's here."

The White Sox didn't score after the third inning.

Tyler Thornburg, Matt Bowman, Joel Kuhnel, Brooks Raley, R.J. Alaniz and Jesse Biddle each pitched scoreless innings.  For Biddle it was his first Cactus League game after recovering from arthroscopic surgery.

Luis Castillo Really Close Nick Senzel Gets Into a Game

Luis Castillo gave up back-to-back doubles to Eric Sogard and Omar Narvaez then retired nine straight batters.  Ryan Hendrix and Tyler Mahle didn't fare as well, the Brewers scored four off them.  Hendrix , the Reds' fifth pick in the 2016 draft, gave up two runs in his inning.  Mahle allowed two runs in three innings.

The Reds dropped the decision to the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-4.

"That showed that Castillo was close," David Bell said.  "We have a long way to go but that was definitely the best of his three outings.  We had a long bottom of the third so we didn't send him out there but he could have. It was a good step."

"Tyler had good velocity," Bell said.  "It is a game you would like to see on TV because it looked like he was just missing. The pitches looked good.  Overall it was fine."

The Reds scored first on a home run by shortstop, yes shortstop, Kyle Farmer off Freddy Peralta in the third inning.  The Reds scored four in the third against Peralta and Clayton Andrews.  Farmer's home run started the inning.  Joey Votto drew his second walk of the game.  He scored from first base on a double by Mike Moustakas over the head of center fielder Jace Peterson.  Nick Senzel flied out deep to right in his first game of the spring.  Moustakas moved to third and scored on an infield single by Aristides Aquino.  Aquino stole second and took third on a wild pitch.  Josh VanMeter's double brought Aquino home with the fourth run.

Senzel is recovering from shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.  Today was his first action as a designated hitter.  He was 0-for-3 and struck out once but hit two fly balls hard that were caught deep.

"Nick took some great swings," Bell said.  "It was really good to see.  Both the fly balls he hit were on really good swings.  He's in great shape.  He's really strong.  It was nice to get him some at bats. It will make him start feeling like a player again. It will help with the process to get him back as an outfielder as well."

Freddis Galvis has yet to play shortstop.  He had success last week as a DH but a mildly strained quad will keep him on the bench for five to seven days.

Alex Powers pitched a scoreless inning.  Tony Santillan allowed a run on two hits in the ninth inning but he struck out two.

Reds and Cubs Play to a Tie Pedro Strop Shuts Down Former Mates

The Reds met the National League Central Division Rivas at Goodyear Ballpark on Wednesday. Neither team was victorious in the first of four times this spring.  They will meet again in three split-squad games.  The Reds will send half its roster to Las Vegas to play the Cubs on Saturday and Sunday.  They will meet in another split-squad game on March 19.

It was Anthony DeSclafani's turn to start but the Reds scheduled a 'B' game with the White Sox this morning.  Desclafani pitched three innings in the more controlled environment.  He allowed three hits, including a home run and two total runs.  He walked two and struck out two.

Tejay Antone started the varsity game.  He allowed a run on two hits and hit a batter.

Raisel Iglesias followed with an inning and gave up two runs, hitting two Cubs batters, Noel Cuevas and Kris Bryant.

"He's fine. I have zero concerns with the results," David Bell said.  "The big thing is he came into spring training ready.  The ball is coming out of his hand well.  He's not happy with the results. I have no concerns."

Right handed reliever Nate Jones, who is from Falmouth, Kentucky and pitched at Northern Kentucky University, got his first inning in this spring. He gave up a hit and a walk while striking out a batter.  Jones, 34, adds experience to the Reds bullpen but is recovering from injury.  He appeared in 13 games for the White Sox last year.  He was traded to the Texas Rangers but didn't pitch again.  He spent the rest of the season on the Rangers 60-day injured list while recovering from elbow surgery.

Before he was hurt, Jones was a valuable part of the White Sox bullpen.  He appeared in 70 games in 2013.  His record was 4-5 with a 4.15 ERA.  His best year was 2016.  That season Jones pitched in 71 games with a 5-3 record and three saves.  His ERA was a career-low 2.29. It was the first of three years with an ERA at 3.00 or below.

"The ball was coming out of his hands, well too," Bell said.  "It was a big step for him, coming back from an injury. He was all smiles coming into the dugout. We were all happy for him.  It's a lot of work coming back from an injury.  Getting back on the mound again was a big deal.  It was nice to see."

The Reds recovered to take the lead.

Josh VanMeter and Derek Dietrich hit solo home runs.  Dietrich replaced Freddie Galvis, who was sent for an MRI.  Galvis felt tightness in his left quad during a base running drill.

Mark Payton got a run home with a force out. Alex Blandino double home two runs. Michael Beltre scored on a wild pitch to give the Reds a 6-4 lead into the ninth.

Poor defense did in Cody Reed in the ninth.  The Cubs scored two runs.  Josh Phegley scored on a ground out by Jared Young.  Matt Davidson threw a ground ball past Blandino to allow the tying run to score.  That's how the game ended.

Pedro Strop pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a walk.

"I was sticking to my plan and able to do it," Strop said.  "The boys accept me really well.  The transition hasn't been that tough.  They accept me really well.  I played almost seven seasons against them. I pretty much know everybody in there too.  Now it is just getting to know everybody. Like, getting that chemistry going. When I first signed with them I was like hmm, what am I going to do now?  It is not bad.  I've done it before from Rockies to Rangers, from Rangers to Orioles/ It has just been so long with the same team. I had a lot of great moments with the Cubs.  It is a great group of guys also here."

Reds Cost David Price Cactus League Debut Win

Mookie Betts and David Price two guys who played for the Boston Red Sox last year challenged the Reds and Sonny Gray.  Trevor Bauer backed up Gray because the Reds have the day off on Tuesday.

Represening 40% of the starting rotation, based on their performance the Reds are in good hands.  Gray allowed a home run to Matt Beaty but accomplished his goal of getting up and down three times,

"It was a fun day.  I feel good about it," said Gray, who had dinner with Price two nights ago.  Gray and Price are from nearby towns in Tennessee.  They both went to Vanderbilt University and both worked with Reds' pitching coach Derek Johnson there.

 "David left there in 2007,"I got there in 2009," Gray said.  "He is from Murfreesboro and I'm from Smyrna so we knew about each other.

Bauer thtew three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out two.

"Everything was really, really good today.  I'm really happy with my velocity," Bauer said. "I wasn't sure where I would be coming into spring training. I got both of my strikeouts on change ups to righties.  It is something that I want to do but haven't been able to do in the past.  That's really encouraging."

The Reds jumped on Price for two runs in the first.

Shogo Akiyama walked After Joey Votto struck out, Freddie Galvis doubled over Betts head in right field.  Jesse Winker's single drov in both runners.

Curt Casali singled home a run in the third inning.  Derek Dietrich got a run home with a long sacrifice fly later in the inning.

Thr Reds got two more runs in the fifth.  Winker singled for the second time.  Aristedes Aquino was hit by a pitch on the hand.  He left the game but he is ok according to David Bell.  Diettich's second single scored Winker and Christian Colon, who ran for Aquino.

Reds releivers kept the Dodgers in check.

Lucas Sims pitched a scorless seventh.  Josh Smith allowed a run on a hit and a walk in the eighth.
Jose De Leon shiut down his former teammates with a strong ninth inning.

"Both are pitching with a lot of confidence, using all their pitches.  It is fun to watch," Bell said.  "De Leon was really good. He had good life on his fastball and a good change to go with it.  That is the best we've seen him. It's nice to see what he's capable of."

Reds Take On Dodgers

The Reds host the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon.

Sonny Gray and Trevor Bauer will pitch for the Reds.  Both starters are pitching in the same game because the Reds have the first of two days off on Tuesday.  David Bell wants them to stay on schedule.  There is plenty of time to separated them before the season starts.

Joey Votto is in the lineup for the second straight day also because of the day off.   Votto has no hits in games so far 0-for-12 but has walked six times.

"I didn't know that Joey didn't have any hits," Bell said.  "I know how many walks. It seems like he's been on base all spring.  Sometimes the walks could be your best at bats in the spring.  You get to see a lot of pitches."

David Price is pitching for the Dodgers,  He will face:

Shogo Akiyama CF
Joey Votto 1B
Freddy Galvis DH
Jesse Winker LF
Aristedes Aquino RF
Curt Casali C
Derek Dietrich 2B
Matt Davidson 3B
Alex Blandino SS

Gray and Bauer will pitch to:

Mookie Betts RF
Max Muncy 1B
Justin Turner 3B
Kike Hernandez SS
Matt Beaty LF
A.J. Pollock CF
Austin Barnes C
Will Smith DH
Gavin Lux 2B

Nick Castellanos reported after three six days but was sent home again.  "He didn't look 100% better to me," Bell said.

State Champion Fairfield Coach Has Eyes and Ears Open in Goodyear

There is definitely a different vibe about this season for the Cincinnati Reds. I would describe it as "Promising". While many fans are simply giddy with excitement one would be wise to maintain a little realism. The Reds certainly have more talent but making the jump from 75 wins to the playoffs is no easy task. Yes they loss an absurd amount of one run games last year. Can they win a majority of those this year? That remains to be seen.

 Every Reds fan is aware of the Reds additions this year. In my mind there are four individuals who could impact this season and are a key to the Reds future. Sometime in the next two years  Tyler Stephenson -catcher, Jose Garcia- shortstop, Nick Lodolo- LHP and Hunter Greene-RHP should make an appearance at Great American Ballpark. All are invites to this year's spring training. Barry Larkin told me that Garcia could be compared to Alex Rodriquez. Larkin is a keen judge of talent but rarely over hypes a player. Keep you eyes open to the progress these four make. (Garcia hit 2 home runs and made 2 fine defensive plays Tuesday against the Angels.

From Gary Yeatts Fairfield Baseball coach... He won two state championships, 1985 rated by the Cincinnati Enquirer as the best Cincinnati High School team all-time.  They won again in 1991.  That team is ranked third by the Enquirer

Wade Miley Pedro Strop Debut Brewers Home Runs Are Too Much

 

Wade Miley got into trouble in his first official inning as a Red.

Justin Smoak hit a ground ball single to right against the shift.  Scott Schebler could not get to a fly down the line in right.  The ball fell inside the fair line  It fell for a ground rule double.  Logan Morrison followed with a long home run.

"I felt really good. I liked the way the ball was coming out of my hand," Miley said.  "I made a mistake to 'LoMo (Morrison) and he got me.  The dink and the dunk are part of the game. 
i'm looking forward to keep improving."

"I had a couple of two strike counts, I should have finished but I went to 2-2 smf 3-2 that made Mia little bit tough," Miley said.  "I have to sharpen up and get myself in better situations.  That's what we are here for."

Pedro Strop returned to camp after some personal time off.  He allowed a run in his inning. He walked Smoak. Cain singled.  Morrison reached on an error by Joey Votto to load the bases. Ryan Healy hit into a double play as Smoak scored.

The Reds scored off Josh Hader.  Alfredo Rodrigues singled and a double by Mark Payton sent him home.

Top Brewers prospect Corey Ray hit a long home run to center off former Brewer Tyler Thornburg.

The Reds scored again in the seventh inning.  Christian Colon hit a sacrifice fly to left with the bases loaded to score Schebler, who singled, advanced to second when Jose Garcia walked. Mike Siani singled to load the bases.

The Reds loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth inning but only scored one on a force play to make the final score 5-3.

"Miley looked healthy," Bell said.  "There were three hits that could have gone the other way for him.  When you have a few extra pitches to major league hitters, that can happen.  Other than one pitch he looked pretty good. It was an encouraging outing."

Bad luck was involved in Strop's first outing.

"He looked good.  He made some pitches to get out of that jam," Bell said.  "He also had some plays that could have gone the other way.  It was good to see him out there.  He also had some tightness early in camp. He had to cover first on a play and came out perfectly fine."

Wade Miley Faces Former Teammates

Wade Miley will start against his former Milwaukee Brewers' teammates today.  It will be Miley first action in the Cactus League.

The Reds will send another former Brewer, Tyler Thornburg after Miley leaves after two scheduled innings.  Sal Romano, Matt Bowman, Joel Kuhnel, David Carpenter and Brooks Raley will pitch.  A.J. Alanitz was listed but was sent home this morning with the flu.

Miley will face:

Brock Holt SS
Justin Smoak DH
Lorenzo Cain CF
Logan Morrison LF
Ryan Healy 1B
Eric Sogard 3B
Manny Pina C
Jace Peterson 2B
Corey Ray RF

Left hander Eic Lauer starts for the Brewers.  He will face:

Phillip Ervin CF
Joey Votto 1B
Aristedes Aquino DH
Tucker Barnhart C
Josh VanMeter 2B
Alfredo Rodriguez 3B
Mark Payton LF
Scott Schebler RF
Jose Garcia SS

Notes:  Nick Castellanos missed his third day with illness....A.J. Alaniz was sent home with the flu...Pedro Strop is pitching Sunday after returning to the team after three day departure for personal reasons...Mike Moustakas went home on Thursday to be with his wife.  The couple had a daughter.  He is expected to join the team after the day off on Tuesday...Freddie Galvis singled and walked twice as the designated hitter on Saturday.  Galvis has soreness in his right shoulder.  Bell will alternatively use Galvis as a DH and a rest day over the next six days....Derek Dietrich and Matt Davidson both left the game Saturday after they were hit by pitches.  Both are fine and working out on Sunday....Travis Jankowski limped into second base while running out a double on Saturday.  He told Bell that it was a cramp but it was a mild strain.  “I don't anticipate him being back before a week but you never know,” Bell said....