Votto Determined To Get A Good Start Shogo Akiyama Told He Won't Make The Team

 

 

The Reds told 33-year old Shogo Akiyama on Sunday that he won't make the team.  The official roster movement will be made by Tuesday but Akiyama can either accept a demotion to Louisville or become a free agent.

"We felt we have better options," Reds general manager Nick Krall said.  With Jake Fraley and Tyler Mahle another left handed bat would be redundant."

Akiyama played 142 games for the Reds.  He hit .224, had a .320 on-base-percentage and had a slugging percentage of .274.  He failed to hit a home run in 317 at bats.

If he accepts the assignment to Louisville, the Reds will pay him $8 million.  He could sign with another team for the major league minimum and the Reds have to pay him the difference.

Joey Votto hit a 464' home run and two doubles.

The Reds scored eight runs in the second inning to exterminate the Arizona Diamondbacks, 15-4.

Joey Votto homered off Corbin Martin and doubled off Mack Lamieux.  Brandon Drury hit two singles. Colin Moran and Max Schrock singled and Jake Fraley walked to load the bases for Aristedes Aquino's grand slam.  Tommy Pham doubled and scored.

Joey's got it timed up perfect," Bell said.  "He's looked good all spring.  Today, it kind of all came together for him.  Probably more than anything it's been the process this spring and how he's timed things up.  He got a lot of at bats early. Now he's fine tuning things.  He is really committed to get off to a good start."

Nick Lodolo started for the Reds on the mound.  He is likely to pitch for the Reds early in the season, when they find a roster spot for him.   Lodol pitched four innings and pitched out of a bases loaded, no out jam after weak fielding filled the bases.  He allowed four hits and two runs, striking out three.

"Lodolo is throwing the ball with a lot of confidence," Bell said.  "A couple of pop ups that dropped got him in trouble but he go out of it."

The Reds scored five more runs in the sixth inning. Pham hit a two-run home run.  Votto doubled again, his third extra base hit.  Christian Santana homered for the Reds.

Aramis Garcia, who hit five home runs the spring, made the team as the backup catcher.

"He earned the job," Bell said.  "He could always hit.  He hits the ball hard. His catching is better than his reputation.  Tyler (Stephenson) will play a lot.  We have to keep him strong and healthy.  We could DH either of them.  I'm not afraid to put both in the lineup."

Catcher Andrew Knapp was re-assigned.  He has an out in his contract and could be a free agent on Monday or he can accept assignment.

Max Schrock left the game with a calf strain.  He hit .609 this spring.

"It didn't look good at all," Bell said.  "He will get an MRI.  He had it last year.

Brandon Drury was hit by a pitch on his front leg.

"He just got hit in a bad spot," Bell said.  "He wanted to stay in but we got him out to get treatment."