Reds Fill Out Rotation Jose Barrero In Center Field

 

 

David Bell announced this morning that Connor Overton and Luis Cessa will follow the trio of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft.

The Reds re-assigned Chase Anderson to minor league camp and optioned Brandon Williamson to Louisville.

Greene in his final tuneup for opening day went well.  He pitched four scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two.

"It was perfect," Bell said.  "It deload day. We didn't want him to work as hard and he didn't. That last inning he got a couple of runners on but was able to bear down and pitch out of it."

Jose Barrero, who started in center field, had three hits and drove in four runs with a three-run home run and RBI double. Spencer Steer hit a home run. Henry Ramos homered and singled. Curt Casali contributed and RBI single.

Defensively, Barrero's day was mixed.  He played a deep fly into a double that helped key a four-run inning against Hunter Strickland. 

"Barrero's swinging the bat well," Bell said.  "He's playing with a lot of confidence.  It was good to have him in center today. He's been playing a great shortstop. He had a tricky play against the wall.  It was a good thing for him to experience."

Cessa started 2022 in the Reds' bullpen but has always yearned to be a starting pitcher.  After returning from Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, he won the competition for one of the rotation slots.  Williamson, Anderson and Luke Weaver, who has tightness in his right forearm. Weaver and Tony Santillan (back) will pitch against the Chicago White Sox tomorrow. 

Cessa made 36 relief appearances and 10 starts.  He was 1-3 in those starts.

Overton joined the rotation on April 30 and made four starts winning one and had a 1.82 ERA until an injury to his lower back took him out of the rotation. He made two relief appearances in late September.

Brandon Williamson Hit Hard By Former Mates

 

Brandon Williamson was decent in his last start against the Oakland A's but his former team that traded him to the Reds for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez.

Against Oakland he pitched four strong inning, allowing one run on two hits.  It was a different story against the Seattle 

Williamson gave up nine runs on eight hits and three walks.

"The Mariners are a fantastic team," Williamson said.  "They hit some good pitches, kudos to them. There were good pitches in there.  They were just on them."

"I was almost comfortable facing those guys.  Hopefully, tonight doesn't dictate what the season would look like for me. I don't think it would. I'm not any less prepared to be ready for the season," Williamson said. "Tonight sucks. There is a lot to learn from.  Whoever makes those decisions, it's on paper and I have to deal with it."

MInor leaguer Manuel Cachutt came in and surrendered six more runs.

Suarez tortured the Reds with a double and a home run.  Sam Haggerty, Tom Murphy, Teoscar Hernandez and Julio Rodriguez also homered for the Mariners. They banged out 16 hits to score 17 runs.

The Reds scored five. Jonathan India and Jose Barrero doubled for the Reds.  Joey Votto laced an RBI single.  Henry Ramos had two hits and an RBI.  Jake Fraley drove in a run with a single.

Nick Senzel, Lucas Sims and Luke Weaver Will Start On The Injured List

Nick Senzel, Lucas Sims and Luke Weaver will likely start the season on the Injured List.

Weaver has tightness in his right forearm. Sims has back discomfort. Senzel is recovering from various ailments, including a broken toe. 

The three will need work in Triple A Louisville before they can perform at the big league level, according the manager David Bell.

Sims is a key bullpen pitcher.  Weaver was in competition for the Reds' two open slots in the starting rotation.  Senzel, when healthy, is the starting center fielder.

Senzel will not start the Cactus League game against the San Diego Padres but is on the game roster for later innings.

"Senzel has to be healthy number one," Bell said.  "His progression has him staying here in Arizona. I want to say at the end of next week he will go to Triple A and get healthy.  He will play multiple positions not just center field. He will play some third base.  When Nick's healthy, he is one of the best players on the field."

Weaver is scheduled to throw today.

"His progression would get him back after the season starts," Bell said. "Those can always be adjusted. We will have more information every day.  The same with Lucas. If I had to say based on our information today, they would both start the season on the IL.  That can be adjusted."

Weaver will continue to be stretched out as a starter.

David Bell Has Loud Mouth Fan Ejected From Goodyear Ballpark

 

   `

In the late innings of the Reds' 10-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels, David Bell, said something to a fan as he walked off the field.

Bell was checking on Will Benson, who fouled a ball off his foot.  Bell came out to check on him.

The Reds manager had an incident in San Diego on June 19 last season when he and Joey Votto were ejected by home plate umpire Ryan Addition for arguing a ball/strike call.  A Padres fan sitting in box seats near the Reds' dugout was also ejected from the ballpark.

This time Bell pointed out the fan to a security guard who was stationed in the Reds dugout.  A radio call across the diamond to a guard near the Angels dugout, confronted the fan and called for backup.  Two police officers arrived and escorted the man from his seats.  The fan sitting next to the offending fan remained seated after talking to the guards.

"There was some profanity.  We made sure we got him out of the ballpark," Bell said. "Mainly because there are families and kids around the area. I don't want their day ruined by one fan. Benson was alright. It just took a little while for it to calm down and we got the fan out of there too. I think the other guy was embarrassed."

Nick Lodolo Ready For Season Blanks The Angels In 10-0 Win

   `

There are three O's in the name of Nick Lodolo and he hung every last one of them on the Troutless, Ohtaniless Los Angeles Angels in his next to last tune up before the 2023 championship season.

"There were some mechanical things but those are going to happen during the season too," Lodolo said after his six scoreless innings.  He gave up two hits and three walks. He struck out seven.

Lodolo gave up a single and two walks after retiring eight of the nine batters, loading the bases.

"I knew exactly what I had to fix," Lodolo said.  "I feel like I'm ready. If this was the regular season, I could pitch now."

The Reds scored eight runs against Chase Silseth in the third inning.

Wil Myers homered and had an RBI single in the inning.  Jake Fraley, Spencer Steer and Chad Pinder doubled.

The Reds pounded out 14 hits. Jonathan India had three singles and drove in three runs. Kevin Newman had two hits.

Reiver Sanmartin, Ian Gibaut and Alex Young pitched scoreless innings.  Sanmartin (Columbia) and Gibaut (Great Britan) participated in the World Baseball Classic and recently returned to camp.

Alexis Diaz Returns To Reds And Focusing On His Role With The Reds. His Brother Edwin Is Recovering From Surgery

 

   `

Alexis Diaz shook off the shock of seeing his brother go down during a celebration.  Now he's focused on seeing the Diaz name next to a save in the box score.

"In regards to my brother it was tough," Diaz said.  "I was there celebrating with him and I saw him fall to his knees afterward.  It was a moment of celebration and then that happened.  The next couple days were really tough. We were supposed to have a grand old time. Seeing him in the locker room really put me down right after that."

The World Baseball Classic provided the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico literally along side his brother, who had a locker next to him and worked in tandem during bullpen sessions.

"It was brutal or in that case huge," Diaz said. "To represent your country for the first time was amazing. To see all the fans out there cheering you on to the fullest extent, there is no other way to experience it."

It was difficult for Alexis to turn the page but he did it. It just might be a lesson in which a closer handles adversity.

"I had it in my mind when I pitched the next time," Diaz recalled. "I tried to find ways to get my thoughts out of there. I went out there trying to find that type of way but I still had it in mind and couldn't get it out." 

Bell had a chat with him on Monday.  Diaz will pitch in a minor league game today against a team from the Cleveland organization and will pitch in a Cactus League game on Wednesday

"I spent some time with him yesterday.  He's going to be fine. He his brother are really close. What a great opportunity to have a chance like that then when something like that happens.  It's one thing when it's your teammate but it's his brother. It is tough," Bell said.  "He also knows that they are already think he will recover faster than was anticipated. He seemed to be in a very good frame of mind. Emotionally, he's fine and ready to get back to pitch."

Diaz is ready to pitch his way into a prominent role on the Reds' staff. 

The 26-year old younger brother of the league's all-star closer, Edwin, saved 10 games last season, seven from August through October.  

"I feel better now," Diaz said. "I've kind of come down from that moment. I've been in communication with my brother through the whole process.  He's telling me that he's good. He's going to be alright. I'm coming back with a positive mentality, much more focused on the rest of the season. It is going to be a great"

Bell, like last season, is not ready to name Diaz as the closer.

"We're working through like the roster makeup, the makeup of our bullpen," Bell said. "Myself, DJ see it in a similar way but the last two months of last season, we fell into a pattern that everyone was comfortable with. This part of the spring will explain how we see it. I don't want to get into it now. I think it will be clear once the season start. I understand the importance of roles and comfort. I think we can accomplish that and find out what gives us the best chance to win, when people know what to expect."

Diaz will pitch in a minor league game today and is scheduled to pitch in a Cactus League game on Wednesday.

Reds' manager David Bell has not committed to a closer yet but promises it will become clear when the season starts and Diaz make take control of the role like he did the last two months of the 2022 season.

Luis Cessa Returns From WBC To Fight For A Rotation Spot

 

   `

  

Luis Cessa was excited to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic but his longtime goal to be a major league starting pitcher created internal conflict.

Cessa, who will be 31 on April 25, rejoined the Reds after pitching for Team Mexico. 

Cessa pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers in a game that Hunter Greene was scheduled to start.  David Bell elected to get Greene work in a minor league game in which the team can control the environment.

Cessa is battling Brandon Williamson, non roster Chase Anderson and Luke Weaver for two open rotation spots.  Weaver left the game against San Diego on March 8 with tightness in his right forearm. He has not returned to Cactus League play.

Cessa left Team Mexico early to come back to compete for the spot in the Reds' rotation.  

"I made the decision after we beat Puerto Rico," Cessa said.  "I pitched behind Julio (Urias) and we pitched that day.  When I wasn't going to pitch for a couple days.  I called DJ  right after the game and told him I wanted to come back."

The WBC pitchers are limited to 65 pitches.  Cessa was in a rotation as the second man into the game when the starter reached the pitch limit.  Cessa landed late last night with a three-hour time difference.

He pitched three innings, allowing two runs on two hits, both in the first inning. Cessa retired the last eight batters that he face.d against the Brewers.

"Cincinnati gave me the opportunity to fight for a spot in the rotation so I need to pitch.  It was the best decision for me and my family," Cessa said.  "When Cincinnati traded for me I told them in the next couple years I wanted to be a starter. When they gave me the opportunity this year.  I had to come back. I just landed last night. I feel good but I traveled all night and the three hour difference.  I am a little tired." 

If he stayed with Team Mexico, he would have started the season in the bullpen.  Cessa decided to return to fight for the chance to start. He started in the rotation with the New York Yankees but he was up and down between Triple A and the big league club.  

"They told me that if I went to the bullpen, I could stay in the big leagues so I took it," Cessa said.

Cessa was pitch efficient against the Brewers and threw 10 more in the bullpen after he left the game. It was the equivalent of four innings.  He can have two more starts to build his pitch count.

"The experience in the WBC was awesome," Cessa said.  "It was the first time for my country.  I never pitched for Mexico before.  I was really excited to be there. It was a little sad for me to leave but I think it is best for my future. When the Reds' gave me the chance to pitch in the rotation, I didn't think twice. If I stayed with them (Team Mexico) I would start the season in the bullpen."

Cessa would accept either role but clearly, his preference is the starting rotation.

"All my career I was a starter even the first couple years with the Yankees," Cessa said.  "My goal always was to be a starting. I trained for it in the off season. I'm working really hard.  Hopefully, I can make my personal goal and start games this season in Cincinnati.

The Reds lost the game in the bottom of the ninth, a 4-3 defeat.

Jonathan India hit a home run and a double.  Joey Votto walked and singled. Spencer Steer had three hits in three at bats. Henry Ramos returned from Team Puerto Rico and hit a home run.

Brandon Williamson Makes His Bid For The Starting Rotation Reds Win 7-1

 

   `

Brandon Williamson finished four strong innings against the Oakland A's to make an argument for his inclusion into the Reds' starting rotation. 

The Reds have two spots up for grabs in a field that includes Luis Cessa, who is still pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, Luke Weaver, who left his last start on March 8 with right forearm tightness and veteran Chase Anderson.

The A's got just a triple from the number nine hitter, Nick Allen and a single by Esteury Ruiz to score its lone run off Williamson, who walked two.  He struck out two and picked off a batter.  "That felt really good," Williamson said. 

"I felt the cleanest I've felt.  It was really good," Williamson said.  "The curveball has been working the best.  It's been getting me ahead of guys.  It's been getting me back into counts and strikeouts.  The two walks frustrate me because I didn't feel I was that wild to walk two guys. It was one batter and I got right back in it.  I didn't feel out of control."

The tall lefty, who turns 25 on April 2, came to the Reds in the trade with Seattle for Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker.  He was 6-7 in 27 starts between Chattanooga (14) and Louisville (13) with a 4:11 ERA.

Williamson's bid to make the Reds' roster for opening day to join last season's rookies, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft.  Like fellow lefty Lodolo, Williamson pitched for Texas Christian University.

"It is hard to say where I am in the battle for the roster," said Williamson, who broke out a slide step to pick off Esteury Ruiz. "I'd like to think, I've done everything I could to make the club right away and I certainly want to.  I've been putting a lot of attention into doing everything I can do to make it. I just don't know where I'm at relative to the other couple guys."

The Reds got just enough offense against Kyle Muller, who was the main piece in a three-way trade that sent him from Atlanta to Oakland. 

Minor leaguers Noelvi Marte and Alex McGarry, had three hits.  Stuart Fairchild drove in three runs. Vosler, Fairchild and Marte hit doubles off Muller.  Fairchild added a home run. 

"Several of our guys swung the bats well.  It was good to see Noelvi get some hits.  We really like his swing and what he's done in this camp," David Bell said.  "It was a hard day to hit home runs today but Stuart has a lot of power."

Daniel Duarte, Reiver Sanmartin, Ian Gibaut, Daniel Norris and Alex Young pitched scoreless innings in relief. 

 

Graham Ashcraft Throws Zeroes At Guardians. Joey Votto Taking Good Swings

 

   `

Graham Ashcraft handcuffed the Cleveland Guardians and Joey Votto singled for his first official hit of the spring. 

Votto singled in the Reds game on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs before rain erased game and Votto's hit.

Tyler Stephenson hit a line drive off of Aaron Civale's left toe but the hurler stayed in the game long enough to surrender doubles to Curt Casali and Jose Barrero both hits missed leaving Goodyear Ballpark by inches.  Jonathan India singled home a run in a three-run frame.

Votto also walked and stole a base. He lined out deep to center field in his last at bat.

Ashcraft threw four-plus innings, exhausting his 60-pitch limit after walked Josh Naylor leading off the fifth.  He allowed two hits and struck out five.  Hunter Greene is the only Reds' pitcher to complete five innings so far.

"Everything felt great.  I feel like I'm not forcing it," Ashcraft said. "I'm in a really good spot to begin the season.  The second inning got a little out of hand with my mechanics but I got it straightened out right away.  Physically, I've felt better than I've ever have." 

Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand Top Prospects Sent To Minor Leagues

   `

Two of the Reds' hottest prospects were sent to the minor leagues this afternoon.

Elly De La Cruz had five hits in 25 at bats this spring with one impressive home run but he was optioned to Triple A Louisville.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand was re-assigned to minor league camp while he was hitting .577 (15-for-26) with four home runs.  Most likely he will be at Chattanooga to start the season.

The numbers for either player will not define them good or bad for spring training may be an indication of talent but does nothing to indicate success or failure.

Dusty Baker once explained that young players tend to hit early in spring.  "They can all hit fastballs.  That's why they were drafted or signed in the first place."

Starting pitchers, especially experienced starting pitchers, come into spring training to build arm strength, experiment with improving pitches or learning new pitches.  When building arm strength they throw fastballs.

The Guardians manager Terry Francona justified sending their prospects to the minor leagues this morning.

"The are all in the same boat. They're young talented, 40-man roster guys. They need to get stretched out.  They got an at bat or two almost every day. It is really helpful for their timing at the plate but getting ready for the regular season, they need more at bats."

"We tried to impress upon them, whatever you hit here, we don't even look. It is not going to define who you are.  Go play. We told them to enjoy being young and not stress out over where they are or where they aren't. The best advice is enjoy playing the game right."

Francona was a prospect himself in the late 70's.  How did he handle it.

"It was so long ago and so different," Francona said. "The day I got called up, I was stunned.  I was just playing on the Triple A team. There was no internet, no talent prognosticators, prospect ratings.  We just tell them to pay attention to what you can control and enjoy doing it.  Micha mentioned to me, that he flew under the radar as far as rankings. I don't give a shit what Baseball America has you ranked.  You never fly under the radar with us. The guys that are ranked real high doesn't mean they're going to get a better chance. I'm not saying I don't have respect for these website, but it doesn't affect us.  You see it happen from time to time, a player gets put in in the seventh inning, he tries to show off his arm no matter what the score is."

Chase Anderson Hit Hard By Texas. Senzel Will Play Soon. Cincinnati Kid Homers

   `

The Reds lost a Cactus League game to the Texas Ranger on Saturday.

Chase Anderson, who worked himself into mid-season form, gave up three runs in three innings.  It didn't tell the whole story. 

The veteran Anderson may well win a place in the Reds starting rotation behind Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft.

The 35-year old is looking to make 2023 his 10th Major League season. 

Anderson struck out five in his last outing against the Colorado Rockies.

"My body feels good.  I haven't felt this good in spring training in three or four years," Anderson said.

He went to Trend Athletics and used their remote training system  He hired a personal trainer to run him through the program. Anderson went through a series of exercises to correct deficiencies.

"We will see if it pays off," Anderson said.

Jake Fraley hit his second home run of the spring against Cole Ragans.  He drove in three of the Reds runs.

David Bell expects to put Nick Senzel into Cactus League games early this coming week.  Joey Votto has played in minor league games at the Reds' facilities.

"Joey has been getting live at bats.  That tells me he's getting closer.  We don't have a date yet," Bell said.

Nick Northcut from Mason High School homered against the Rangers. 

"I've been able to get to know him this spring," Bell said. "It means a lot to him to be in the Reds' organization.

The 23-year old first baseman was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round in 2018.

Michel Triana also homered for the Reds.

Hunter Greene Named Opening Day Starter

Hunter Greene was told that he will be the Cincinnati Reds opening day starter in his second year with the team.

Leading a trio of second-year starters, including Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft, the Reds top pick in the 2017 draft has emerged as the leader of the group.

He had some stellar efforts in 2022 but also fought adversity.  Greene was leading the National League in home runs allowed before missing 43 games with right shoulder strain last season.

The 23-year old Los Angeles native is aware of the importance of the season opener in Cincinnati.

"It means the world. It's a huge honor considering the history in Cincinnati," said Greene who had a 5-13 record in 24 starts his rookie season.  "It is a huge honor with the talent we have, Nick, Graham, Cessa (Luis).  Knowing the history and the potential we have to bring the team back (after 100 losses). It's a baseball city. We want to win as much as the fans do to bring that atmosphere back to the city."

Greene pitched four scoreless innings against the Cubs in an 8-6 loss to the Cubs.  He allowed an infield hit to Trey Mancini and a double to Yan Gomes.

David Bell also told Nick Lodolo he would start game two and Graham Ashcraft in game three.  

"Hunter deserves it.  He's worked so hard.  He knows what it means and really cares about it. He  just say that.  He shows it in his actions," Bell said. "He is a perfect representative of our team and the city. Het  cares about his teammates and other people." 

When Greene left the game the Reds led 5-0.  Luke Maile from Edgewood, Ky hit a two-run home run and Jason Vosler belted his second of the spring off Jameson Taillon.

Mancini, Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morel hit home runs off Levi Stoudt in a six-run sixth inning to put the Cubs in the lead to stay.

Chase Anderson Brought to Major League Camp

 

   `

The Reds re-assigned veteran Chase Anderson to the major league camp, inidicating he has a chance to earn an opening day roster spot for his 10th big league season.

The Reds need to fill two starting rotation slots to augment a trio of young pitchers, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft, starting their second year. The club signed Anderson, 35, to a minor league contract on February 18

The Reds signed him on August 27 last season and posted two wins last September to finish.  He pitched two scoreless innings on Monday night against Colorado, allowing two hits and striking out five.

"Chase was like we saw at the end of last season," an impressed David Bell said. "The first time we've seen him this year, really looked like he was in mid-season form.  He had a really good change up, his velocity was really good.  That's a tough combination when he's throwing 93,94 with that change up it is tough for major league hitters to square up."

Luis Castillo Finds A Home In Seattle

   `

Luis Castillo is 30 years old as he took the mound for the Seattle Mariners this afternoon against the Cubs with Tucker Barnhart.

Castillo was a hot prospect, who kept being dealt as a prospect in exchange for veterans. 

He signed with the San Francisco Giants as an 18-year old.  The Giants traded him to the Marlins.  Two days later the Marlins dealt him to San Diego.  The next year he was back with the Marlins.

The Reds acquired his talent and his "Bugs Bunny" change up for Dan Straly, who Florida inserted into their rotation.

The rightie broke in with Reds in 2017 out of Double A and pitched for them five plus years until the Reds realized they couldn't sign him at the end of his contract.

Seattle sent some top prospects to get him and then signed him to a contract through 2027 when he will be 35.

The Reds haul included Noelvi Marte, who is competing to take over third base this spring.  RHP Levi Stoudt, who nearly made the Mariners rotation last spring.  It would not surprise baseball people if he ends up in Cincinnati this season.  Edwin Arroyo a short stop and RHP Andrew Moore. 

Castillo made his second spring start against the Cubs.  He pitched into the third inning then left the game when he reached his pitch count.  The Cubs scored two run in the first but none over the last two. He struck out four.

"Little by little, I'm getting ready for the season," Castillo said.  "I've always built arm strength through my spring starts.  The last two outings I give it my all for the regular season."

He feels very comfortable with the new pitch clock.

"It is in front of me and I know what I want to throw," Castillo said.

Facing former battery mate Barnhart, who is fighting for a roster spot with the Cubs, was a novelty.

"I think its the first time I've faced him," Castillo said.  "We spent a lot of time together.  It was kind of funny. When he was up there, he was laughing and I was lauging.  It was fun."

Barnhart hit a slow roller right on the first base line which kicked foul when Barnhart still carrying his bat nearly tripped.  The pair exchanged comments before Barnhart grounded out.

Castillo with a young family is now financially secure.  He will make $24 million in each of the next four seasons.  Still it was difficult for him to leave the Queen City and his friends even though most of them have departed as well.

"It was a little difficult because I was there such a long time but I've said it before.  In professional baseball sometimes we're here but tomorrow we may not be," Castillo said.  

"I miss Skyline chili," he said with a laugh.

Reds Got Talent Off The Field

   `

Fun loving Jared Hughes brought a nerf basket into the spring training clubhouse in 2019, David Bell's first season as manager.

The Reds played soccer on the back fields as part of conditioning rather than running sprints.

Last season, the team took out a picnic area and put up basketball hoops.  This year the Reds are planning a 3-pt. shooting contest.

If one walks past the clubhouse while it is in session, you can hear the cheers and laughter.  Last spring the Reds brought in portable basketball hoops. 

With all the new faces in camp, the players are getting to know each other by performing in a "Reds' Got Talent" contest.  It is a private, player's only talent show.  Players can sing, dance, perform magic tricks or a stand up comedy routine.

"It was so much fun," Bell said. "We can't overdo it but that's it for this year.  The 3-pt. contest is coming up next week. That'll be outside so there won't be any hiding that.  We have a really good basket for it.  We have the lines painted. A lot of staff, a lot of players signed up for it.  The weather is nicer next week.  We actually pushed it back.  It helps us to get to know each other."

Veteran Joey Votto is the emcee for the show.  Apparently, he's been spotted in various costumes.

It is not entirely new as a team building exercise goes. Adam Dunn brought karaoke equipment during his year with the Reds.  He would choose songs for the performers, famously assigning a young Jay Bruce the task of singing Barry Manilow's Copa Cabana.