Reds 2021 Roster Close To Completion

  

The Reds are flying home after their final Cactus League contest with the Seattle Mariners with some new players on the roster.

The Reds selected the contract of Cam Bedrosian, the son of former Atlanta Braves reliever Steve Bedrosian.  Another first round pick in the Major League draft on the Reds' roster, Bedrosian pitched seven seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.  He signed with the Reds on February 16.

"It was really different knowing that I had to earn a job and deal with the uncertainty," Bedrosian said.

The Reds also selected the contract of Tyler Naquin, the former first round pick of the Cleveland Indians.  While Naquin made the ball club as a non-roster player, infielder Mike Freeman and Heath Hembree were reassigned to the Reds' minor league camp.  Former Arizona Diamonback right-handed pitcher, Braden Shipley was also reassigned.

Naquin, who will play all the outfield positions and is a competent center fielder, was selected by Cleveland out of Texas A&M in the first round in 2012.  He broke in with Cleveland in 2016.

The left-handed batter hit .296 for the Indians in his rookie year, helping the team to the World Series.  He hit 14 of his 31 career home runs that season.  His remaining four year stint was marred by a series of injuries. He has been totally healthy this spring.

The Reds signed Naquin on February 18.

"It was a good conversation with David (Bell)," said Naquin who belted three home runs this spring.  "The power has always been there as long as I'm healthy.  The last time I went into a season healthy was 2016."

Sal Romano was called into Derek Johnson's office after a 'B' game appearance and told by Nick Krall and Johnson, who told him he made the team.

"it was my second time to be chosen for the Opening Day roster.  I was part of the parade in 2018," Romano said.  "I'm really excited to be with these guys after what I've been through the last few years.  I don't think I'm the same pitcher I used to be.  I have more confidence and came here to show that I belong in the big leagues."

Jeff Hoffman Gets Fresh Start In Cincinnati

 

Jeff Hoffman was happy to get out of pitcher's hell, Coors Field

He earned a spot, for now, in the Reds' starting rotation, that is missing Sonny Gray and Michael Lorenzen in the early season.  

Hoffman was informed by Nick Krall, pitching coach Derek Johnson and acting manager Freddie Benavides.  David Bell is still on family leave with the death of his brother, Mike.

"It was awesome," Hoffman said.  "I was really excited that the work we all put in since I moved over to here got nice results and didn't go for nothing.  I am looking forward to putting our best foot forward."

The 28-year old right handed pitcher came to the Reds in exchange for Robert Stephenson.   Both were number one draft picks.  Stephenson was the Reds' top pick in 2011 out of high school.  Hoffman was chosen in the first round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2014 draft out of East Carolina University.  

Hoffman is just six weeks older than Stephenson.  It was apparent that both needed a change of scenery.

The Reds' had hoped that Stephenson would be a main stay in the starting rotation.  It never quite came true and he was moved to the bullpen.   Hoffman was a bright enough prospect to prompt Colorado to give up veteran LaTroy Hawkins and All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in a trade deadline deal in 2015.

Hoffman started games in 38 of his 68 appearances in five seasons in Colorado.  He was 10-16 with a 6.40 ERA in five seasons.  He was touched for 21 home runs in just 70 innings in 2019.  He needed an escape.

The Reds offered him a chance by sending Stephenson west.

Working out of the bullpen last season in Colorado, didn't shake Hoffman's confidence.

"I didn't mind relieving, obviously I've been a starter most of my career," Hoffman said.  "I knew I could definitely still do it.  I wanted a chance to do it away from Coors Field.  I feel like I landed in a great spot."

This spring he allowed 17 runs in 18 innings, including four in his final tuneup Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.  There was some luck involved in his move to allow his inclusion into the rotation and an acknowledgement that the adjustments he's made are still a work in progress.

"You never want anyone to go down," Hoffman said.  "We had a couple of stumblers there and I'm happy to step in and hold things down until those guys come back."

The stumblers include rotation mainstay Sonny Gray with lower back pain and Michael Lorenzen with mild discomfort in his shoulder.  They are not expected to miss much time, giving Hoffman a chance to show he can be an effective starter in Cincinnati.

"Whether I am nails and win a lot of games or just learn, I'm really happy to be here with DJ (Derek Johnson) and Jags (assistant pitching coach Eric Jagers). I'm in a win, win right now.  Or I can take small steps and learn but being with those guys I feel will be really good for the rest of my career," Hoffman said.

Luis Castillo is scheduled to start Opening Day.  Tyler Mahle is expected to start on Saturday against the Cardinals.  Hoffman, Wade Miley and Jose DeLeon will round out the early rotation but it has yet ro be determined what order they will pitch.

Hoffman and De Leon are basically in audition mode.

Luis Castillo Leads Reds' Starting Rotation As It Comes Into Focus

 

 

The Reds starting rotation is set.......in jello.

Luis Castillo baring unexpected complications is scheduled to deal against the Cards of St, Louis on April 1

In the absence of David Bell, who is mourning the death of his brother, Derrick Johnson informed the members of the press over Zoom that Tyler Mahle will pitch on April 3, the second of the three-game set.

The next three in the rotation, Jeff Hoffman, Jose De Leon and Wade Miley will pitch with the order yet to be determined.

The fluidity in the rotation stems from Michael Lorenzen and Tejay Antone dealing with minor aches and pains.   Lorenzen is healing rapidly from discomfort in his shoulder.  Antone with a slight strain in his groin. 

"April 1 doesn't mean anything to me other than we start playing real games," Johnson said.  "We won't rush them back.  We want to win games in the beginning of the season for sure but we want to be healthy for the long season."

Reds' general manager Nick Krall has not decided whether the Injured List will be used yet but it could be back dated to make the time on it short.

Sonny Gray, the opening day starter last season, is working through back problems.  He threw a side on Friday and is scheduled for another on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Two of the latter three could be in the rotation in early April.  The Reds are certain that Antone can fill several needs in the bullpen and will likely start the season there.

Sean Doolittle, Lucas Sims and Amir Garrett are seen as pitchers to close out games.

"David doesn't like the strict designation of "closer", " Johnson said.  "I think it is a smart way to look at it.  We will be guided more by match ups and availability."

Doolittle is experienced closing game.  He struggled to get batters out early but his later outings have been fine.  Sims and Garrett started behind the others.  They haven't been stretched out but they have shown that they are ready to pitch when things get real.

Garrett in particular has been impeccable.  He has struck out all nine batters he's faced in the Cactus League.

"That's sick," Johnson exclaimed.  "I don't think he will strike out every one during the season though."

The Reds plan to carry 13 pitchers on its 26-man roster to start the season.

LHP Josh Osich was reassigned to minor league camp this morning.  RHP Noe Ramirez was released.  LHP Jesse Biddle and LHP Brandon Finnegan were reassigned on March 25.

There are 18 pitchers left in camp, including Carson Fulmer, who was picked up on waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Heath Hembree, who was signed to a minor league contract out of the Cleveland Indians camp.  RHP Cam Bedrosian is a non-roster player still in the mix and LHP Cionel Perez, who has been very impressive this spring, still has options remaining.  Sal Romano is out of options but he's been solid in his outings.

MIke Bell Part Of A Huge Reds' Family Passes Away

 

Mike Bell, 46, passed away from cancer this morning.  He was part of three generations of Reds' history.

Bell was the brother of current Reds' manager David Bell.  He is the son of former Reds' player Buddy Bell and the grandson of Gus Bell.

Mike was the top pick of the Texas Rangers out of Moeller High School.  The Arizona Diamonbacks picked him in the expansion draft but he didn't make the Major Leagues until 2000 when he played in 19 games for the Reds'.  That was the extent of his playing career.  But Mike stayed in baseball.  

He worked in the Arizona system for 13 years with the last nine in the player development department, where he supervised the development of Colerain High's Ryan Atkinson,  before taking the job of bench coach for the Minnesota Twins last season.  He was one of the final candidates for the Baltimore Orioles job in 2019.

Mike developed 47 Major League players while in the Diamondbacks system.  The minor league system had 36 affiliates make the playoffs and 11 won championships, including three in his last season with Arizona.

His son Luke is a sophomore right handed pitcher for the Xavier Musketeers.

His grandfather, Gus, played for the Reds for nine of his 15 big league seasons from 1953 through the pennant winning season of 1961.  He had three at bats in the World Series against the New York Yankees. He was an original New York Met, as a pick in the expansion draft.

Mike's father Buddy, played for the Reds' from 1985 to 1988.  He spent 18 seasons as a player, managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals over nine seasons. 

Brother David, like his father, broke into the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians, making his debut on May 3, 1995.  His grandfather passed away four days later on May 7.  David played 12 years in the big leagues.  He was a manager in the Reds' minor league system and a coach with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals before he was named manager of the Reds for the 2019 season.

Reds' manager David Bell left camp today to be with family.  The Reds are being guided by Freddie Benevides until Bell returns.

Luis Castillo Gets The Opening Day Start Against The St. Louis Cardinals

Luis Castillo was selected by Reds' manager David Bell to start on Opening Day for the Reds' against the St. Louis Cardinals at 4:10 pm on April 1.  The Reds lost NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer to free agency.  

“Luis is as ready as he’s ever been,” manager David Bell said Friday at the Reds’ spring training complex.

Luis Castillo is set to start on opening day for the Cincinnati Reds, heading a rotation that lost NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer to free agency.

“Luis is as ready as he’s ever been,” manager David Bell said Friday at the Reds’ spring training complex.

The Reds open the season April 1 at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Castillo has seen limited action in spring training, pitching in two games so far and giving up no runs and five hits in five innings with three strikeouts.  He has pitched more in 'B' games and is being stretched ou in live batting practice. He’s coming off a 2020 season in which he was 4-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 70 innings with 89 strikeouts.

The 28-year-old Castillo was the Reds’ opening day starter in 2019. He finished 15-8 with a 3.40 ERA and was selected to the NL All-Star team.

“I did it once but to do it twice is just as special,” Castillo said through an interpreter. “The first thing I did was hug the manager and call my family.”

Bell said the other Cincinnati starters are still to be determined, with decisions likely being made in the next week. Sonny Gray, who started the opener in 2020, is the likely No. 2. Wade Miley, Tyler Mahle, Tejay Antone and Michael Lorenzen are the top candidates.  Jose De Leon has also put himself into the mix with a good spring.  Gray will miss the early games, perhaps the first week, about two starts.

Bauer signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after going 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA during the pandemic-shortened season and helping the Reds reach the playoffs as a wild-card team.

The Reds will allow about 12,000 fans at Great American Ball Park after playing all of the 2020 season in empty stadiums.

“It will be nice to pitch opening day in front of fans this year,” Castillo said. “They are a big part of the game. They transfer a lot of energy to us on the field.”

Joey Votto Returns To Reds' Camp

 

Joey Votto returned to the Reds' camp in Goodyear, Arizona on Sunday morning.

After 10 days in quarantine, he passed the rigorous tests from MLB to allow his return, although technically he remains on the Injured List.

"It is good to be back with my teammates," Votto said.  "I kept up through box scores and correspondence with my teammates.  I didn't watch or listen to games because I was more concerned with how they were feeling about their play.  We all know that statistics in spring training don't mean a lot."

Votto, who is notoriously a slow starter in spring was off to a good start.  He participated in four Cactus League games with four hits in nine at bats.

Votto is expected to work out for a couple of days before a decision is made when to put him into 'A' games.

Options:

Shortstop prospects Jose Garcia was optioned to Triple A Louisville along with C Deivy Grullon, OF Scott Heineman, RHP Hector Perez and RHP Art Warren.  !B Cheslor Cuthbert was re-assigned to minor league camp.

Reds Pitchers Michael Lorenzen, Lucas Sims And Amir Garrett Ready For Next Steps

Michael Lorenzen used batting practice at the Goodyear complex to take fly balls off the bat.

Perhaps since, Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs off him in a recent start, Lorenzen is eager to play center field, a spot he considers his best position.  It is also his favorite.

The 29-year mostly pitcher, has appeared in 34 big league games roaming the "garden".  After working out of the bullpen, after his initial entry into the Major Leagues as a starting pitcher.  Lorenzen made two key starts in the Reds' 2020 playoff run.  This spring he has a great chance to fill vacated roles in the starting rotation.

Reds' manager David Bell has been open to Lorenzen's multi purpose ambitions and sees the last two weeks of spring training to get Lorenzen work in the outfield.

"He loves to play the outfield and hit," Bell said.  "With him becoming a starter, it will be easier to use him more in the field.  The pitchers have been working all along with Jeff Pickler and now we will get the starters some at bats in games to get them used to it."

Lorenzen will do more than that in the last two weeks.

"We will get him into a game or two in the field.  This season the day after a start and the day before a start we won't play him in the field but the other two days, we can," Bell said.

The Reds will get two pitchers back on Saturday both competing with Sean Doolittle for the closers role.  Lucas Sims and Amir Garrett, have had light duty. Sims' right elbow and Garrett's left forearm have kept them from Cactus League action.   They pitched live batting practice on Wednesday.  Both are scheduled for some game action on Saturday.

"I will probably pitch in the "B" game," Sims said.  "They have more control over that but I feel fine."

Garrett was joking about the quality of french fries with reporters.  His good mood indicates that he is ready to pitch this spring also on Saturday.

"I feel good.  I've been working on things.  I'm ready," said Garrett, who requested on extra right handed batter to face in live BP.  It was Tyler Stephenson.  "There was no particular reason that it was Tyler.  I just wanted another right handed batter to work on.  I can get left handers out in my sleep."

 

Eugenio Suarez Move To Shortstop Could Make Room For Jonathan India

 

The play of Reds' prospect Jonathan India and the off season conditioning of Eugenio Suarez has caused a "musical chairs' effect in the Reds' infield.

Suarez moved to third base to break into the Reds' lineup after the 2015 season and made the All-Star team in 2018.  He hit a career-high 49 home runs in 2019 to become the highest single season home run hitter from Venezuela.

After a brief, bad 2020 season, Suarez worked on his body, shedding body fat and increasing his mobility.  The result planted the idea in Reds' management to put Suarez back at his natural shortstop position.  

Mike Moustakas played mostly third base in his seven years in the Kansas City organization was moved to second base in the National League with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Reds.

India was switched from third base where he played at the University of Florida to second base last season at the Reds' alternative site at Prasco Park in Mason.

"I'm getting comfortable there," said India, the Reds' top pick in the 2018 draft  "I started out slowly with the organization (hitting .240 at Dayton, Greenville and Billings). I am just having fun now and playing baseball.  Mike Moustaka told me to just be an athlete and play."

India has taken the advice and is making an impression.

He is hitting .333 in 12 games coming into his start against the Colorado Rockies with Suarez at short and Moustakas at third.  He has one home run.

Suraez texted a video of India's home run.

"It was cool that someone like him would send that to me," India said.

"Jonathan is my favorite player here," Suarez said.  "He just likes to play baseball.  I like that."

The players have bought into the moves.

"That's what makes this a good option," manager David Bell said.  "The guys have all bought into it.  On any winning team I've ever been on players have been willing to take on new roles.  We talkedabout it and decided if we are going to do this, we have to do it now with two weeks to go in spring training.  We don't know if it will be permanent but we have to get an idea now."

Kyle Farmer has openly coveted the position at shortstop.  Bell talked with him about still getting his work in at the position the rest of spring. Farmer played first base against the Rockies.  Joey Votto will be out at least four more days after testing positive for Covid.

Another candidate for the short stop position is Dee Strange-Gordon.  The 32-year old, stolen base king broke into the Major Leagues as a shortstop in 2011 with the Los Angeles Dodgers but has played just 16 games at the position since moving to second base himself in 2013.

The Reds signed him as a free agent on February 11.

"He still looks like the same athlete that I saw play when I managed in the minor leagues," Bell said.

Two Way Players Clash Michael Lorenzen and Shohei Ohtani Meet On The Field

 

A pair of players who have bucked the baseball tradition that makes pitchers specialists, met in the Reds' 7-3 win in Tempe, Arizona.

Michael Lorenzen, who starred in center field in his college days at Cal State - Fullerton, pitched against Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels with the understanding that he would be allowed to hit as well as pitch.  In Japan he excelled at both.

With Lorenzen trying to transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, it would give him more of a chance to hit in games he pitches and even play outfield in between starts.  That is his desire.

"I haven't been in David's office every five minutes this spring, asking him to hit in games more," Lorenzen admitted.  "I've been concentrating on getting stretched out to start."

To that end, Lorenzen had a good start with "a firm" fastball.  "I have been trying to let my pitches develop naturally, not trying to force them to be ready.  I'm making good progress."

Ohtani had something to say about Lorenzen' s progress.  He hit home runs in his first two at b ats off Lorenzen.

"The first was just a normal fly ball that got into the wind," Lorenzen said.  "But the second one made up for it.  I think he hit it 600 feet.  I looked at Tucker (Barnhart) after the first one and we just kind of laughed a little.  I looked at DJ (pitching coach Darryl Johnson).  He just waived.  The second one was on a curveball. I was trying to get ahead with it.  I thought he would take it but he decided to hit it 600 feet."

Still the outing was good for Lorenzen and his goal to make the starting rotation for the first time since his rookie year in 2015, although he did make three starts in replacement roles in 2018.  At the end of last season the 29-year old had two good starts down the stretch to help the Reds make the playoffs.

"I think I made my case last year," Lorenzen said.

The Reds agree.

"He was pretty good today.  Outside of those two home runs, one would have been a fly ball on another day," Bell said.  "We couldn't find a radar reading but his fastball looked to be there.'

Always a competitor, Lorenzen wasn't too bummed by Ohtani's blasts.

"I never want to give up home runs but I hope Ohtani keeps doing what he's doing.  He is probably my favorite player for taking advantage of the Angels promise to use him as a hitter too.  Next time I hope to do better against him.  We don't play them this year so it would have to be the World Series," Lorenzen said.

Shogo Akiyama Is Out

Shogo Akiyama will be out "a few weeks" according to Reds' manager David Bell.

The Reds outfielder left the game Saturday with a strained left hamstring.

Akiyama was back a week from attending to his wife who was struck by a fallen tree in Sharon Woods.  

The injury opens up a spot in the Reds' crowded outfield, temporarily.

"Shogo could be back sooner," Bell said.  "He works hard and i know he wants to be out there."

The good news for the Reds is that starting left handed pitcher, Wade Miley, who had also strained his left hamstring on Thursday, will make his scheduled appearance against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.

Tejay Antone Fine After Leaving Game Early, Sonny Gray and Wade Miley Dealing With Pain

 

 

 

Three members of the Reds projected and potential starting rotation have had setbacks this week.

The latest was Teejay Antone, who left his start against the San Diego Padres this afternoon.  He felt a tweak in his leg.  Antone is in a spring in which he has thrown the ball very well according to Reds' manager David Bell.

Anotone went out to warm up for his third inning but felt something in his landing leg, left leg.  

"I was just stretching it when (Mike) Moustakas came in to tell me not to push it.  I thought he was right so I called the trainer out.  It is no big deal. I will probably take my next turn."

"I was encouraged after talking to him," Bell said.

Antone pitched 2 and 2/3 innings and allowed three hits, three walks and four runs only one of which were earned.

"I was better in the third inning," Antone said.  "I felt I was pulling my pitches.  I needed to make an adjustment.  I just needed to make it sooner.  I am trying to be able to make adjustments, pitch by pitch."

The Reds are encouraged by his total spring work in sprite of the subpar outing in the scorebook.

"I think he has been throwing so well this spring.  I think he was trying to even improve on that," Bell said. "It is part of what makes him so good.  It is only natural."

The consensus is that Sonny Gray will be missing in the first week of the regular season with lower back pain.

"We never want to deal with injuries but it is better to deal with it now than in the season," Bell said.

Wade Miley is another player who left a game or workout with mild pain in his calf.  He is not expected to miss time.

Ryan Weathers, the son of recent Reds' pitcher David Weathers pitched three innings against the Reds on Sunday.  He was the seventh player taken in the 2018 draft by San Diego.

Young Weathers was a fixture on the back fields of Sarasota during spring training and in the Reds' clubhouse while his dad pitched in Cincinnati.

His dad would catch him and soft toss baseballs that Ryan would clobber for a kid his age.

On Sunday, Weathers pitched three innings allowing four hits and a walk, that led to two runs.

Weathers gave up a double to Nick Castellanos and a run scoring single to Nick Senzel in the fourth inning. Castellanos tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Moustakis in the sixth inning.

Mike Freeman Joins Reds' Camp After Indians Send Him To A Better Opportunity

 

 

 

The Reds have added 33-year old Mike Freeman to add to its infield depth.

The left handed hitting second and third baseman was let go by the Cleveland Indians and will join the Reds this afternoon at their camp in Goodyear.

"It came down to the Reds and us this off season," said Indians manager Terry Francona.  "We told him that if there was ever a better opportunity for him we would let him take it.  I talked to Buddy and David (Bell) and told them they were getting not only a good player but a good guy."

The Reds could use him as a back up for Mike Moustakas at second base and Eugenio Suarez at third base.  It would give them a left handed bat to rest Suarez, who bats right handed.

Freeman has also played 24 games at shortstop, an open position on the Reds this spring.  He has played first base and the outfield in his five Major League seasons.

He has played with Arizona, with whom he made his debut in 2016, Seattle, the Los Angeles Dodgers. the Chicago Cubs and the Indians for the last two seasons.

Freeman played 99 of his 156 games for Cleveland, with 75 in 2019 in which he hit .277 with four home runs and 24 RBI.   His slash line was .277/.362/.390. 

The native of Orlando, Florida and Clemson University grad has also pitched in two games to mop up.

This spring he is 5-for-15 with a home run in six Cactus League contests.

"It is hard to let go of someone you think so much about," Francona said. "But knowing he is going to get a better opportunity makes it easier."

Former Red Billy Hamilton Cut Loose By The Indians

 

 

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona informed former Reds' centerfielder Billy Hamilton would not be part of the roster this season.

"He is a pro's pro," Francona said.  "He is such a good kid.  We didn't feel it was right to ride the busses and backing guys up, if he wasn't going to be on the team.  That's why we did it now.  We will try to help him land somewhere."

The Reds' second round pick in the 2009 draftt was trying to catch on with his fifth team since leaving the Reds after the 2018 season.  The 30-year old had 10 at bats in the Indians Cactus League games with one hit, a triple.

Since leaving the Reds, Hamilton has been with Kansas City, Atlanta, the New York Mets and San Francisco. He has appeared in a total of 150 games the past two seasons.

Hamilton stole a record 155 bases between high A and Double A in 2012 while in the Reds' organization.  He appeared in 13 games in 2013 for the Reds and stole 13 bases.  That season, he showed promise by getting on base at a .429 clip, hitting .368.

The Reds moved him out of his natural shortstop position and made him a good defensive center fielder.  They tried to turn him into a switch hitter in their hope to make him an offensive weapon out of the leadoff position in the batting order.

The experiment never reached its promise.

Hamilton has only reached base at a below MLB average of .296 while hitting .240.  He was able to steal 305 bases in eight years with a career-high of 59 in 2017.  He was caught stealing 71 times.

The speedster finished second to current Red Dee Strange-Gordon twice for most stolen bases.  Both times in 2015 and 2017, Hamilton had season ending injuries while being in the lead for stolen bases.

Franmil Reyes And Jose Ramirez Back To Indians From Covid Protocol Suspension Reds' Joey Votto Tests Positive

 

 

A pair of Cleveland Indians' players had to sit out a few days after violating MLB and Team Rules against dining indoors at a restaurant.

Neither player tested positive but reported their transgression to the team which in turn self reported to Major League Baseball.

Franmil Reyes and Jose Ramirez were in the lineup Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels.  Reyes as the DH.  Ramirez started at third base.

"They addressed their teammates," Cleveland Terry Francona said.  "We will leave any other actions in house."

The pair were cleared for workouts Tuesday morning after their incident on Friday after the game in Mesa against the Chicago Cub.  They had driven themselves, which is allowed by most clubs but stopped to eat on the way home.

Their apology made a good impression on their manager.

“There was more to it than that leading up to it,” Francona said. “I was actually really proud of them both. I know they missed some time, and that’s not what we’re shooting for, but I was actually really proud of them. What’s more important to me is where we go from here.”

Reds' Votto Tests Positive

The Reds announced this morning that Joey Votto was placed on the Injured List.  At this point in spring training the list has no advantage.  It is too early to force any roster moves.

Later the team revealed that Votto tested positive for Covid-19.  According to MLB protocol he will have to be separated from the team for 10 days.

Votto, a notorious slow starter, is 4-for-9 in his four games so far.

Joey Votto Placed On The Injured List By Reds

 

The Reds have placed Joey Votto on the Injured List.

There is no stated injury or length of time given.

"The only thing we are going to say is that Joey Votto was placed on the Injured List," Reds' Media Director Rob Butcher said.

Prospect Ryan Hendrix has been set back a couple of days with a mild strain.

Cleveland Indians Display Fundamentals In A Spring Training Game Against Seattle

All too often we have seen Major League players, who make assumptions on the field.

Over the last couple decades, we've seen players admire their towering fly balls at the plate only to have the ball fall short and settling for a single, when they should have been in scoring position.

The Indians are getting credit here for plays that should be common place but sadly are not.  One play was on defense, the other on offense.

Bryan Shaw, who is in his second tour with the Indians, got Seattle outfielder Mitch Haniger to top the ball at the plate.  Catcher Roberto Perez touched the ball in fair territory.  Haniger walked to the dugout but Shaw picked the ball up and waited until home plate umpire Mark Ripperger called Haniger out for giving himself up as we often see on dropped third strikes from catchers.

There were two runners on for the Indians when Andres Gimenez hit a long fly to center field.  Former Cincinnati prospect, Taylor Trammel, leaped against the fence and fell to the warning track.  Trammel showed the ball to second base umpire Alan Porter but Gimenez kept running full speed instead of being caught umpiring.

Porter ruled that Trammel trapped the ball against the wall.

Gimenez is trying to take over the shortstop position for the Indians vacated by the departure of Francisco Lindor.  The fundamental dash to home beat a belated throw from Trammel, resulting in a three-run, inside the park home run.

Ryan Lavarnway, who was signed by the Reds in 2019 when an injury epidemic hit the Reds catchers, is trying to nail down the backup catching job behind Roberto Perez for the Indian.

Lavarnway chipped in with a legitimate three-run home run for the Indians.

Reds fans may remember that in Lavarnway's first start for the Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 19 of that year, he hit two home runs and a double with six runs batted in.

Lavarnway made four starts after that.  His last game was on July 27 in which he caught the entire 3-1 victory pitched by Anthony DeSclafani.  The Reds released him on August 30.

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Shogo Akiyama's Wife Injured In Sharon Woods

 

The mystery of Shogo Akiyama's absence from the Reds' spring training camp ended today.

Akiyama returned to Goodyear after flying back to Cincinnati to visit his wife in an area hospital.

His wife, Akaya, was walking in Sharon Woods when a tree fell across her path causing serious injury.  She was taken by air care to an area hospital.

Akiyama left camp that night and spent a lot of time with his wife in the hospital before returning on Thursday to Goodyear.  After re-entry Covid protocol, Akiyama, will work on the back fields until Sunday when manager David Bell plans to get him into games.

"I met with him today and told him it was a good idea to wait until Sunday," Bell said.

Akiyama was able to do some limited work in Cincinnati but spent most of his time in the hospital.

Hunter Greene To Start Against The Los Angeles Angels

 

Hunter Greene hasn't pitched compeitivly for most of the last three years but tonight will have a Major League uniform when he pitches against his hometown Los Angeles Angels.

 Greene was the second pick in the 2017 draft and the highest ever Reds pick since the amatuer draft was established in 1965. The 21-year old, who was picked after his senior year at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, was also an accomplished high school shortstop. Many scouts think he has major league potential at that position in addition to his ability to pitch. His fastball has been clocked as high as 103 miles per hour. 

 Greene started 18 games for the Dayton Dragons in 2018 with a 3-7 record and a 4.48 ERA. He last started on July 26, just two weeks after he appeared in the Futures Game during the 2018 All-Star break in Washington, D.C. 

 The right hander suffered an elbow injury in that forced "Tommy John" surgery.  He spent all of 2019 recovering.

The Reds placed him in Mason, Ohio for their camp for extra players for the 2020 season.  The minor league season was cancelled.  The Reds wanted Greene to be around more established players.

"It was awesome," Greene said. "A lot of guys had to stay home.  The biggest takeaway for me is just to be around the major league life and see the day-to-day work.  Getting the innings in was great but the focus for me was soaking up as much information as possible."

The effects of the surgery hasn't caused a setback.

"I'm back to those numbers (plus 100 mph) but my focus is now on my secondary pitches<" Greene said.

He made some adjustments in his delivery, designed to put less stress on his elbow.

"It was challenge to get out in front from shortening my arm action to getting out the full extension," Greene said.  "With repetition it helps to be aware of where my body is.  After two months, I'm good to go."

Greene's sole goal is to pitch in the regular season for the Reds this season no matter what the role is.

by /The Reds need to replace Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani in the starting rotation.  The game against the Angels which is going to be televised by Fox Sports West at 8:05 ET.