They Are Risen: Reds Come Back From The Dead To Beat Washington On Easter Sunday

 

  

Down by two runs and their last strike, Jonathan India doubled on the 10th pitch of a "life and death" at bat with Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan.

The clutch hit on a 3-2 count set stage for heroics from Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (CES) to come back for a 6-5 win.

There were two out with the basbeaes empty and fans getting a head start to their cars, when India last a Finnegan offering down the left field line. 

"I was tired," said India after a slower roller for an infield hit kicked foul. "He throws hard. He kept throwing high and away. I wanted to help my team. I had to catch my breath. It was the best at bat that I think I've had in my career."

The second baseman's career in Cincinnati was resurrected after trade rumors all winter and a move to the outfield to allow Matt McLain to take his spot. An injury to McLain changed the plan.

Benson struck out in the eighth inning with India and Bubba Thompson on base in the eighth inning. 

"I told Santiago that I wanted one more chance," Benson said. "I watched Jonathan's at bat 10 pitches I think gave me a chance to get my timing down. I looked for a pitch over the plate and I got it."

CES hit into his second double play following Benson. It made him hitless in 12 at bats to start the season.

"I kept telling him . Don't beat your self up. You're time is coming," said India.

CES hit the first pitch to the seats in left field. It was his third walk-off hit and second home run in 66 big league games.

"If I was going to make an out, I just wanted to make sure it was coming off the bat, hot," CES said. "I had an idea of what I wanted to do all three games. I just wasn't executing. When I think to just hit the ball hard, it shrinks everything for me."

CJ Abrams hit his first home run of the season against Martinez in the third inning.

The Reds rebounded against Jake Irvin the bottom of the inning. Irvin walked Spencer Steer and Nick Martini start it. Tyler Stephenson hit a slow ground ball to third base with the runners advancing a baset. Jonathan India's sharp ground ball to shortstop tied the game. Will Benson's double put the Reds ahead.erThe Reds hit the ball hard in the fourth inning. Jeimer Candelario hit a hard line drive to center. Jake Fraley hit his second single of the game but was caught stealing. Elly De La Cruz hit a triple to the gap in right center. Steer sent him home with a single. 

The Nationals fought back with singles by Luis Garcia and Trey Lipscomb off Martinez. Abrams sacrifice bunt set up Lane Thomas' two-run single to tie the score at three. 

Emilio Pagan relieved who pitched five innings, allowing six hits and three runs. He walked and hit former Red Jesse Winker and struck out three.

Buck Farmer replaced Pagan. Trey Lipscomb, the first batter Farmer faced, hit his first Major League home run. It was a line drive to right center that appeared to glance off Benson's glove in center field and into the first row of seats. The Nationals loaded the bases as Winker reached base for the fourth time with a double but Farmer struck out Keibert Ruiz to end the inning.

"I got a piece of it, exactly. I had a great jump on it. I had a read. The timing was great. I just missed it. I wish I could explain it more."

Tejay Antone took over in the Washington eighth.  Eddie Rosario, who struck out three times, doubled to open the inning. Antone walked Garcia and Lipscomb. Fernando Cruz relieved Antone. Cruz struck out Abrams but Thomas drove in Garcia with a sacrifice fly. Winker failed to reach base for the first time in the game, grounding out to first base.

"Cruz getting out of an impossible situation (bases loaded, no outs) gave us a chance to win the game," David Bell pointed out.

The victory came the day after the Reds were crucified when Washington Reds' closer, Alexis Diaz, for three runs in the ninth after a day of sloppy play. It renewed high hopes for the Reds' 2024 season.

Reds Drop Game To The Nationals As Alexis Diaz Gives Up A Two-Run Lead

  

Washington Nationals rallied against Alexis Diaz and the Reds to take down the Reds 7-6  in a sloppy game.

Alexis Diaz allowed an RBI single to Winker. The Nationals loaded the bases with one out. Diaz hit Ruiz with a pitch that forced home the tying run. Brent Suter allowed a sacrifice fly by Rosario to put the Nationals on top. Diaz gave up three runs to tip the game to Washington.

"I think he got squeezed early on,"Luke Maile said referring to the walks issued by Diaz. "Then we had traffic on the bases and he had to be careful with certain hitters. He made some good pitches but they had better swings. He threw the ball ok."

Sloppy fielding played a role in the Reds' demise. Three catchable pop flies contributed to the Nationals offense.

"There were plays we usually make and we're going to," David Bell said. "Hunter threw the ball well. Things happened behind him that didn't go his way.

Jonathan India led off the bottom of the eighth with a single off Hunter Harvey. Bubba Thompson pinch ran and stole second. Candelario walked with two outs. Opening day hero, Nick Martini pinch hit for Espinal. Martini came through with a two-run double.

Washington pitcher Patrick Corbin and Reds' starter Hunter Greene took a scoreless game into the fourth inning.

The Nationals scored first. Former Red Jesse Winker walked in the fourth and took third on a double by Joey Meneses. Greene struck out Joey Gallo, looking. Keibert Ruiz hit a pop fly that fell between Stuart Fairchild and Elly De La Cruz. Winker took off for home and beat the tag from Luke Maile.

The Reds had a chance to score off Corbin in the second inning. Santiago Espinal singled and stole second. Fairchild grounded a single through the hole at shortstop but Winker's throw beat Espinal to the plate.

Jeimer Candelario hit a Cobin pitch into the left field seats to tie the game. It was his first hit as a Red. He started the last season with Washington before moving on to the Cubs at the trade deadline.

The Reds' defense let them down in the fifth inning. With one out, Greene walked CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas. Winker hit a foul pop down the right field line. Christian Encarnacion-Strand backed off at the last second Will Benson couldn't make the sliding catch. Winker hit a high chop to pitcher's mound that glanced off Greene's glove. The missed chance at a double play, loaded the bases. Meneses hit a fly to shallow center that Fairchild caught but didn't throw home. Abrams scored.

"We can't give them outs, we know that. It was windy but you have to blame some of it on communication.," Maile added.

Greene left trailing 2-1 with Justin Wilson recording the final out of the inning.

Greene threw an even 100 pitches over 4 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits and four hurtful walks. He struck out seven.

"Hunter threw the ball well. Things happened behind him that didn't go his way," Bell said.

Greene lost control in the fifth with a pair of walks that led to a run.

"There were times I couldn't feel my legs," Greene said. "It was adrenaline. I have to make pitches and I don't want to throw my team under the bus, but there was stuff that happened behind me that I can't control."

The Reds first five batters reached base off Corbin in the fifth inning. De La Cruz bunted for a base hit. He beat the throw from Ruiz but overslidr the base. The out call held up after replay. Fairchild followith his second hit. Luke Maile hit his first home run of the season. Benson doubled and scored on a single up the middle by Jonathan India. 

Fernando Cruz replace Wilson after a scoreless inning. Cruz finished the sixth but Abrams tripled to open the seventh. He scored on a wild pitch. Cruz turned the ball over to Lucas Sims after striking out four of the five batters he faced.

Ruiz hit his first home run of the season off Sims to tie the game at four. It was his third hit of the game.

Trey Lipscomb took former Red Nick Senzel's place on the roster. Senzel fractured his right thumb taking ground balls in pregame practice on Thursday. Lipscomb hit .400 for the Nationals in spring training but was sent down to get playing time. He singled in his first Major League at bat. 

Senzel and Lipscomb both played baseball at the University of Tennessee.

Nick Martini Delivers Capitol Punishment Reds Blow Out The Washington Nationals

 

  

Nick Martini hit two home runs and drove in five runs in his first ever opening game appearance at the age of 33. The Reds performed capitol punishment on the Washington Nationals with a 8-2 win.

Martini has been in professional baseball since 2011 when the St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round. He victimized former Reds' prospect Josiah Gray with a two-run home run in the second inning and a three-run blow in the third.

"He (Martini) showed how he could hit last year," manager David Bell said. "It is kind of surprising that it took so long. He has been a good player for a long time. Everyone knows he can hit."

Martini is the first Reds' player to hit two home runs on opening day since Adam Dunn hit two against the Chicago Cubs on April 2, 2007.

"I don't know if I can describe the feelings about my first opening day, honestly," Martini said. "I felt how loud it got after the first home run. The first at bat I had so much adrenaline. I don't think it fully hit me yet. My family was able to be here. It was everything coming together at once." 

The left-handed bat off the bench batting eighth followed the first of Spencer Steer's two hits, an RBI single with a line drive into the right field bleachers. Jake Fraley had two hits and scored on Steer's single.

Fraley doubled in the the third. Elly De La Cruz walked. Steer doubled in Fraley. Martini delivered another line drive into the stands in right.

Frankie Montas delivered six scoreless inning in his first real action since 2022. Shoulder ailments limited him to one game with the New York Yankees last season. He allowed four singles and walked no one, while striking out six. 

It was Montas' 100th game and came on his 10th wedding anniversary.

"There were a lot of emotions after the tough year I had last year," Montas said. "One of the things I love about this game is the competition. I know what I can do when I'm healthy so I'm not concerned about proving myself."

Nick Krall signed Montas and his relief help Emilio Pagan over the off-season. Eddie Rosario hit a two-run home run off Pagan in the seventh to put the Nationals on the scoreboard.

Moeller High School grad, Brent Suter, struck out the side in his Reds' debut in the eighth inning.  He finished the game with two scoreless innings. He struck out Joey Gallo to end the game.

"That is his role," said Bell who like Suter is a Moeller grad. "He is efficient. He gives us length. He just throws strikes. I was thinking  about him being from here the whole time. I asked him if he had anyone coming to the game."

"It was surreal, getting the ball on opening day. I have never pitched in an opening game," said Suter who has been in the big leagues since 2016. "It took more pitches than I would like but no one got on base."

"This was my dream to pitch here. My family got to be here. I've been a Reds' fan all my life but have never been to an opening game."

De La Cruz singled in the eighth. Steer was hit by a pitch from Tanner Rainey. They pulled off a double steal. De La Cruz scored on a fielder's choice from Tyler Stephenson, who was credited with the RBI.

2024 National League Central Division Preview

  

 The Milwaukee Brewers are the first to visit Great American Ball Park for a four game series of the Reds' Central Division rivals.

The Reds will host the St. Louis Cardinals for three games, starting May 27. The Chicago Cubs will host the Reds for three games, beginning May 31, then visit the Reds for four games from June 6 through the 9th. Finally the Pittsburgh Pirates will meet for six games in nine days. The Reds go to PNC park for three on June 17 and host the Bucs a week later on June 24 with three more.

The following is a rundown of the division foes in order of appearance.

All-time series Brewers lead 220-212-1

Last season the Brewer were 10-3 against the Reds

The Brewers were 92-70 last season, winning the Central Division but losing to Arizona in the Wild Card round.

The Brewers manager for the last nine years, Craig Counsel, defected to their arch rivals the Chicago Cubs.  Counsel's college coach at Notre Dame University, Pat Murphy.

The Brewers will have 11 new faces in the lineup to start the season.

We look different than last year. Yes, we are young, there are going to be some learning curves and stuff like that but they are all very talented players and we will be just fine," veteran Christian Yelich told the Milwaukee media.

The Brewers welcome 20-year old outfielder, Jackson Chourio, to the roster. He was rated the second best prospect in baseball. Chourio will be the youngest player to make the Brewers roster since teenager Robin Yount in 1974 at the age of 18.

Chourio beat out University of Cincinnati graduate Joey Weimer, who had a productive rookie season. An injury suffered late in spring training to top prospect Garrett Mitchell.

The starting rotation, the team's strength the last few season, took a hit when they lost former Cy Young winner, Corbin Burnes to free agency and Brandon Woodruff to injury that will cost him the season.

The new ace Freddy Peralta will lead left-hander DL Hall, Colin Rea, Joe Ross and Jakob Junis. Former Red Wade Miley will likely join the rotation after he recovers from shoulder soreness.

The Brewers had another setback when closer, Devin Williams, who will miss the first six weeks with a stress fracture in his lower back. Trevor Megill, Joel Payamps and Elvis Peguero are candidates to replace Williams with 23-year old phenom Abner Uribe with a shot to compete for the gig.

William Contreras and Gary Sanchez are the catchers. Sanchez is expected to DH as well.

Newcomer Rhys Hoskins is slated for first base.  Speedster Brice Turang is penciled in at second base. He can also play the outfield.

Veteran Willy Adames returns at shortstop. 

Joey Ortiz and second year player, Sal Frelick, will share third base. Frelick is the left-handed bat in the platoon, who can also play outfield.

The outfield features Yelich, Chourio and Blake Perkins with Weimer in the wings until Mitchel returns.

CHICAGO CUBS

Since 1900, the Cubs hold a 1,132-1,110 advantage over the Reds.

The Reds were 7-6 winners of the season series in 2023.

Chicago finished second in the Central Division with a 83-79 record.

The 2024 season starts with an new manager. Craig Counsel takes his leadership two hours south from Milwaukee to Chicago. "We're excited because we are at the start of something fun," the low-key Counsel told MLB.com. "We have to start writing the story."

The Cubs started the campaign with starter Jameson Taillon and infielder Patrick Wisdom on the injured list with back ailments.

Javier Assad replaces Taillon, who was the opening day starter last season in the rotation. Justin Steele replaced Taillon as the opening day starter. Veteran Kyle Hendricks returns to the rotation. They will be joined by Shota Imanaga who signed a four-year deal out of Japan and Jordan Wicks.

Counsel is expected to start Michael Busch at first base, replacing Jeimar Candelario, who was signed by the Reds after finishing the 2023 season for the Cubs. Busch, a left-handed hitter and 2019 first round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is still a rookie after appearing in 23 games for LA last year.

Gold Glover, Nico Hoerner, is at second base.

Dansby Swanson returns at shortstop as the reigning Gold Glove winner.

Christopher Morel will get a long look at third base.

The outfield features Reds' menace, Ian Happ out of the University of Cincinnati and all-star Cody Bellinger. They will be joined by Seiya Suzuki and Mike Tauchman.

Yan Gomes, 36, a veteran of 12 big league seasons and 25-year old Miguel Amaya will do the catching. Amaya was an emergency replacement from Double A last season. He has impressed the Cubs as a receiver.

The Cubs will rotate players at Designated Hitter.

Yency Almonte, who came with Busch from the Dodgers will join Adbert Alzolay, Mark Leiter Jr, and Julian Merryweather. The later trio handled the late innings for the Cubs last season. Drew Smyly missed earning a spot in the starting rotation is the long reliever and spot starter. Jose Cuas, a side arm right-hander and Hector Neris, a top performer in the Houston Astros' championship bullpen, will join the group. Hard throwing 23-year old Luke Little cracked the roster with seven games under his belt which is half-way up his 6'8" frame.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

The history of the rivalry favors the Cardinals by a 1,199-1,039 margin.

The Cardinals rallied to take the season series from the Reds by winning the last two games of the season. Those two games effectively spoiled the Reds' playoff run.

Last season the Cardinals brought up the rear of the Central Division with a rare losing season at 71-91.

Young manager Oliver Marmol survived the fiasco and returns for his third season as the Redbirds skipper. The 37-year old still owns a 164-160 winning record.

Like the Reds the Cardinals began the season with some key players ailing. Tommy Edmans, a Reds' nightmare, had off season surgery on his wrist a had a series of setbacks this spring. He began the season on the IL. Lars Nootebar injured his wrist this spring and will join Edman's on the IL. Dylan Carlson was the Cardinals leading hitter this spring was injured in a collision with 6'6" teammate Jordan Walker less than a week before the season. He will be replaced on the roster by rookie Victor Scott II, who hit .317 this spring but was ticketed for Memphis before the collision.

The Cardinals signed former Red starter Sonny Gray but a hamstring had him on the IL. Keynan Middleton toiled for the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees last year. The Cardinals procured his right arm to aid their bullpen. An aching forearm sent him to the injured list.

It is conceivable all the aforementioned could be ready by the time the Cards visit Cincinnati on May 27.  Middleton is less likely than the others but could be ready by then.

STARTING ROTATION

Veteran Myles Mikolas, Zach Thompson, Lance Lynn in his second tour in St. Louis, Steven Matz and Kyle Gibson will hold the fort until Gray's return. Noticeably absent is long time Reds combatant, Adam Wainright, who retired.

BULLPEN

The good news for the Cardinals is the return of Ryan Helsley, who was limited to 36 innings last season.  Giovanny Gallegos, JoJo Romero, Andrew Kitteridge, Mathew Libertore, Andre Pallante, Ryan Fernandez and Riley O'Brien fall in behind Helsley.  O'Brien won the roster spot with an impressive spring. He pitched one inning for the Reds in one game and in one game for the Seattle Mariners in 2022. He was a minor leaguer the entire 2023 season.

CATCHERS

With Hall of Famer Yadier Molina in his second year of retirement, Willson Contreras and Ivan Herrera will fill the void at catcher. Both are good enough offensively to be a DH when not behind the plate.

THE CORNERS

Pual Goldschmidt, 2022 MVP, is back at first base.  Nolan Arenado is a seven-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time all-star at third base. The pair are widely known to Reds' fans.

SECOND BASE

Nolan Gorman hit 14 home runs in 89 games in 2022 and 27 in 119 games last year. If healthy for an entire season that projects to 41 home runs.

SHORTSTOP

Masyn Winn is 21 years old. He played 37 games last season, hitting .172. If he could adapt to major league pitching he could be the next star in St. Louis.  Brandon Crawford the 12-year fixture in San Francisco is available for backup.

OUTFIELD

Injuries foiled the Cardinals early season plans. Scott II will get a brief look until Carlson returns. Brendan Donovan and Walker will start the season. Big stick, power hitting Alec Burleson is waiting on the pines. Michael Siani, claimed off waivers from the Reds after 24 games at the big league level. The September waiver pick up used his glove to land a spot on the opening day roster.

DH

Matt Carpenter, like Lynn, is back for a second tour after anchoring the club in their glory days. Burleson will rotate in along with the catchers.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

The Pirates are also ahead of the Reds since 1900 but at 1,140-1,105 are the closest head-to-head.

They were 8-5 against the Reds last season, including a comeback from a nine-run deficit in a 13-12 win. That game exposed the Reds dog-tired bullpen and significantly damaged the Reds' playoff chances. 

Pittsburgh escaped the NL Central basement with a 76-86 mark.

Derek Shelton is back for his fifth season as the Bucs skipper.

 Last historically but definitely not least this year the Pirates are load loaded with young players from years of drafting high in the order.

Third baseman Ke'Bryan has is reaching his prime at 27. He set career highs in every offensive category last season, a .271 average, 15 home runs 61 RBI, 31 doubles and a whopping seven triples. Hayes did walk less but also struck out 18 fewer times in than he did in 2022.

The Pirates are the only team in the division that avoided multiple injuries to key players. Infielder/Outfielder Ji Hawn Bae and Yasmani Grandal started the season on the IL but should return shortly.

STARTING ROTATION

Mitch Keller is the ace of the staff. He started his sixth season at the opening day age of 27, coming off his best season at 13-9 and a .421 ERA. More importantly he fell just short of 200 innings at 194 1/3 with an eye popping 210 strikeouts and 55 walks less than two per game.

Following Keller are Martin Perez, Marco Gonzalez, Jared Jones and Bailey Falter. For what spring training worth statistically. Jones pitched 16 1/3 Grapefruit League innings without allowing a run.

BULLPEN

Former Red star Aroldis Chapman is a Pirate in keeping with his Carribean roots as an ethnic Jamaican from Cuba.  He will joining David Bednar coming of a highly successful season at closer. The 29-year old right-hander tied Camilo Doval for the National League lead with 39 saves, two ahead of the Reds Alexis Diaz. He had an astonishing low ERA at an even, 2.00.

Ryan Borucki, Roansy Contreras, Josh Fleming, Ryder Ryan, Luis Ortiz and Hunter Stratton join the late inning stars.

The one caveat from Pittsburghs relative escape from injury is the temporary loss of Colin Halderman and Carmen Mlodzinski, who pitched well last season.  Former Red Duari Moreta is lost for the season with elbow surgery.

CATCHERS

Henry Davis work on his defense paid off and he will start as the number one catcher. Jason Delay earned his second opening day roster spot. He will backup Davis while Grandal heals.

FIRST BASE

Left-handed Rowdy Tellez will face right-handed pitchers. The Bucs hope a healty Tellez can repeat his 35-home run performance from 2022. Connor Joe will play the position against left-handed pitchers.

SECOND BASE

Jared Triolo earned spot over Liovo Peguero and Nick Gonzales with a spring in which he hit .310.

SHORTSTOP

Oneil Cruz is eerily similar to the Reds' Elly De La Cruz. Not only is their last name similar but both are slender and are over 6'5". Cruz broke in with the Pirates as a 22-year old in 2021. De La Cruz debuted last season six months short of his 22nd birthday.

Cruz has fended off injuries the last three years but a healthy Cruz belted seven home runs this spring.

THIRD BASE

Hayes added a Gold Glove this winter. He hit .412 with three home runs this spring.

OUTFIELD

Bryan Reynolds has quietly become a fine major league hitter from both sides of the plate. He hit .314 in 2019 and .302 in 2021. Although his average has dipped, he has average exactly 25 home runs the last three seasons.

Speedy left-handed hitter hit 26 home runs last year but has been a .200 hitter.

Michael A Taylor is a true center fielder. He signed with the Pirates this off season.

DH

Veteran Pittsburgh favorite Andrew McCutcheon will do the bulk of his appearances as a designate hitter. Tellez will join him on occasion. McCutcheon, now 37 in his 16th season, has tapered off in recent years but hit .316 this spring.

BENCH

Edward Olivares will backup the outfielders and provide a little right-handed power off the bench. Alika Williams will backup the infielder while Bae recovers and Peguero gets valuable playing time at Triple A Indianapolis.

2024 Reds Season Preview

  

General Manager Nick Krall collected youthful talent the last two years, trading veterans for Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jake Fraley, Brandon Williamson and Noelvi Marte. 

He added to home grown talent from its own farm system featuring Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Andrew Abbott, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, Jonathan India, Hunter Greene, Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl. They also picked up Will Benson, a first round draft choice of the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) in 2016. This youthful and eager group made fans forget the 100 loss 2022 season by competing for a playoff spot up to the last series of the 2023 season finishing 82-80.

It was the third winning season for manager David Bell who as a native of Cincinnati with a family history tied to the franchise.

This off season the Reds invested over $100 million, hard earned dollars by signing switch hitting infielder Jeimar Candelari, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan, Brent Suter and Justin Wilson. 

The Reds are poised to make a strong bid for the National League Central Division crown and/or a playoff opportunity.

They need to start fast this season. They play Philadelphia Phillies which played in the World Series and NLCS the last two seasons seven times in April. They have a three-game series on the road with the World Champion Texas Rangers and a four-game set with division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers in their first 31 games.

The start of the road was not 100 percent smooth though. Marte will miss half the season after testing positive for a banned substance. Friedl fractured his right wrist on March 16. He will miss up to eight weeks, although he could begin activity in six weeks. McLain was slowed by an injury to his oblique then developed a problem with his left (non throwing) shoulder that is still under evaluation.

Bell said that the remaining group has responded positively to the adversity and resolved to press forward to the playoffs. 

"There is one thing that is certain for all teams. The injuries are going to happen," Bell said. "We talk about this. It is how you respond that leads to the outcome of the season. A lot happened in the last seven to 10 days (before the season). We are going to miss each of those guys individually. It shows how together this team is. It is an opportunity for players to step up and show how close our team is."

Stuart Fairchild will get an extended opportunity to show his ability after being a valuable sub the last two seasons.

Candelario gives the Reds a power bat in the middle of the lineup to make up for the departure of Hall of Fame shoe-in, Joey Votto. Santiago Espinal was a late addition to the infield.  He was an All-Star for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. He was considered a better option than Josh Harrison, a Cincinnati native, Tony Kemp and Mike Ford. The three opted to become free agents but could conceivably be signed if a better opportunity for them doesn't appear.

STARTING ROTATION

Martinez and Montas will join Greene, Abbott and Ashcraft in the starting rotation with Lodolo not quite ready for the start but not far behind.

Montas was the opening day pitcher for Oakland in 2020 and 2022. He was 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA in 2021.

"It is not just getting the ball opening day. It is getting the ball at all," said Montas, who missed all of last season with a right shoulder injury. "I got to have a normal winter and spring training to get my muscle memory back.

Montas now heads a group of younger starters.

"They have a lot of talent. For the amount of time they have, they know how to go about their business. I'm excited to pitch with these guys. When I see Hunter Greene, I see myself when I was younger. I'm happy to be playing with these guys. People are saying to me that you're the old guy in this rotation. They have a really good idea of pitching. They have way more talent than I had at that age."

The pair of free agents have a reputation for throwing strikes and challenging hitters, a plus for Great American Ball Park. 

All of the home grown starters suffered injuries except for Abbott who worked 163 innings which was more than the 131 innings in his first two pro seasons combined. The left-hander started strong when he first arrived in Cincinnati but ran out of gas at the end. It is a necessary step in his progression. Ashcraft is recovered from surgery on his right foot. Greene, the 2023 opening day starter, pitched 15 Cactus League innings. He missed six weeks last season with a right shoulder strain and a month to a hip injury.  Lodolo is close to recovering fully from a stress reaction to his left tibia. The left-hander allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings over two spring starts. He will likely replace Martinez in the rotation sending the veteran to the bullpen.

"Health is number one for a lot of guys," Greene said. "But this is going into my third year. I remember an interview last year saying that I haven't been part of a team that won anything since high school. I have been missing that feeling for a long time. We have a great opportunity to that here. Everybody sees it and feel it."

Waiting in the wings are Connor Phillips, Williamson, Carson Spiers, and Lyon Richardson, who all helped the Reds cope with setbacks last season.

Bullpen

The club made a conscious effort to strengthen the bullpen. Last season the bullpen was effective early but as injuries to starting pitchers resulted in shorter outings, the workload wore down the pen.

Alex Young, was the lone left-hander and was the first to show wear. The Reds added Sam Moll with two months left in the season to shoulder the load.

Ian Gibaut, Buck Farmer, Lucas Sims and Fernando Cruz had good seasons for the most part. Alexis Diaz was outstanding early but also showed fatigue down the stretch.

TJ Antone is back from nearly two years of injury. He showed great promise in 2021. The Reds hope he has fully healed and is as effective as he once was. The Reds signed left-handers Brent Suter, a Cincinnati native, and veteran Justin Wilson. Nick Martinez, will start the season in the starting rotation, but has experience working from the pen. He is expected to be a long reliever and spot starter.  Emilio Pagan had success in Minnesota. He adds backup for Diaz, having collected 32 saves, including 20 with Tampa Bay in 2019.

Casey Legumina provided support in 2023, getting valuable big league experience.  Tony Santillan had a good spring to show he is fully recovered from a series of injuries to his back, knee and hamstring. Tyler Gilbert anothe left-hander will start the season in Louisville but provides depth.

CATCHERS

Tyler Stephenson is back to get most of the starts. He is in his second season from the injuries that mounted in the 2022 campaign. The offense of .242/.317/.378 with 20 doubles and 13 home runs can be written off to residual effects of a broken collar bone.  

In his fourth full season, the Reds are counting on more production offensively from their catcher.

"Just how every one expected us to be last year, we way over achieved. The second half last year was the most fun baseball we played," Stephenson said. "We were disappointed not making the playoffs because we were so close. This is a big year for us."

Luke Maile who hails from Northern Kentucky is the backup. He is an expert handler of pitchers from his 385 games over his eight seasons in and around the big leagues.  His numbers .235/.308/.391 fail to show the hits he provided in clutch situations last season.

While the catching position is considered mostly a defensive oriented one, the Reds could use some "bonus" offense from those who wear the masks.

INFIELD

This is an exciting group with shortstop De La Cruz had a strong spring after thrilling Reds' fans with his dare devil baserunning. A rare combination of speed, power and throwing arm has the makings of a super star in the image of his mentor, Barry Larkin. 

McLain had an outstanding rookie season moves full time to second base but is going to miss the start of the season.

Candelario will get time at first and third base with plenty of DH opportunities.  Ditto for Encarnacion-Strand who is potentially a source of power.

Steer and India will provide offense by playing both infield and outfield.  Espinal will be the spare part off the bench.

"I found a better way to prepare for the role. There were times last year I felt unprepared for moving positions. It is tough playing left field for two days straight and coming in to play third base," said Steer who feels more comfortable at second or third base. "I think I have a better plan of attack for that. I was able to work on things this spring, rather than moving positions during the season."

Ultra talented Edwin Arroyo had a strong spring.  Barry Larkin is high on him. The 20-year old, who was pried from Seattle in the Luis Castillo deal, has a outside chance to jump to the majors. He advanced to Chattanooga last season where he got four games under his belt with six hits, including two doubles and a triple. 

OUTFIELD

Friedl will return sometime in June.  Fairchild has the speed to play center and has potential to be a solid hitter with power. Benson showed why s drafted him in the first round. He has a good glove and strong arm and also has speed and power. Fraley with an injury free season that he has yet to enjoy, offers a boost to the Reds' offense. What is lacking in this garden is a right-handed bat.  That is where India and Steer converting to the outfield come into play.

Jacob Hurtubise will likely make his Major League debut sometime this season, alas he is another left-handed bat.  Right handed hitting, Rece Hinds and Blake Dunn are nearly ready. They could very well start their big league career this season.

SKIPPER

Bell starts his sixth season at the helm. He has a background in player development which has been valuable in building the current roster. 

The coaching staff remains nearly the same with Jeff Pickler being promoted to be the bench coach, tasked with game planning. Freddie Benavides is back for his sixth season as Bell's bench coach. It is his 11th on the Reds' staff. With Pickler sharing the load as bench coach, the Reds' lifer will add defensive positioning to his duties.

The energetic Collin Cowgill, a Lexington, Kentucky native, will coach first base. His expertise is base running.  J.R House will return as the third base coach.  He has minor league managerial experience and handles the catchers.

Joel McKeithan starts his second season as hitting coach. Terry Bradshaw (second season) and Tim LaMonte will assist him.

Highly regarded Derek Johnson returns for his sixth season as pitching coach. Alon Leichman, a native of Israel, will assist with the mound crew.