"There is nothing good about it," David Bell said of the Reds' 11-game losing streak on Saturday.
The Reds haven't lost 12 games in a row since the last 13 games ended in defeat during the 2015 season.
The wound goes deeper than pride. In the first 15 games of the season, 14 Reds populate the Injured List, including reigning Rookie of the Year, Jonathan India. Donovan Solano, Max Schrock, Jose Barrero and Mike Moustakas all infielders are injured.
The Reds signed Frankfort, Kentucky and UK grad, JT Riddle to a minor league contract on March 14. He participated in the Reds' minor league camp in Goodyear this spring.
Today Riddle will make his 11th career start at third base. It will be his second appearance for the Reds.
Riddle grew up watching the Atlanta Braves on WTBS while attending Western Hills High School in Frankfort. He was a big fan of Chipper Jones. Riddle has played at Great American Ball Park, a place he visited with his family. He broke in with the Miami Marlins in 2017, starting 61 games at shortstop.
"It is good to get in there and get back into it," Riddle said. "I will do whatever it takes to get it rolling and moving in the right direction. I've played here a few times in my career when I was a visitor. Now putting a Reds' uniform on. It's nice to play for the hometown squad."
Riddle will have his fiance, daughter and parents in the stands.
The gig maybe short lived as India goes through a pre-game routine of hitting and taking ground balls to test his aching hamstring.
"He looked free and easy yesterday," Bell said. "If it goes well today he will be able to start on Tuesday.
Tyler Stephenson remains in concussion protocol after his collision at home plate on Tuesday with Luke Voigt of the San Diego Padres. "He;s not going to be ready. He is trending in the right direction but we're being extremely cautious. He might not even go on the road trip (to Colorado and Milwaukee)," Bell said. "We would determine if he was going to play but it would be immediately after that. If that's the case we want to avoid having him travel."
It isn't just the infield that's been afflicted with the injury bug.
Jake Fraley has been dealing with a knee problem.
"He is fully ready today," Bell said. "We can get him back in the lineup on Tuesday."
Rookie Nick Lodolo will try to be the stopper in his third big league start against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Meanwhile Luis Castillo will be making a rehab start for the Dayton Dragons.
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