Reds Fifth Starter Named By Terry Francona Pitching Assignments Clear

 

 

Dateline: 318 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

March 20

One week before the Reds took on the San Francisco Giants on opening day, manager Terry Francona cleared part of the roster.

Carson Spiers, has at least temporarily, made the Reds rotation as the fifth starter and was chosen to start the fifth game of the season against the Texas Rangers on April 1.

On March 17, Spiers last outing in which he pitched five innings, allowing just a home run to Austin Hedges of Cleveland.

Francona said, “He’s put together a good camp,” Francona said before the game. After the game Francona added, “He’s filling up the strike zone. He changes speeds. He’s handled himself really well. I don’t know him as well as the rest of these guys do. He comes from good stock. I played with his uncle Billy. You can’t find a better guy.”

Spiers earned the spot in the rotation.

“It’s definitely cool. It is something you dream of as a kid to break spring training with a big league team,’ Spiers said. “It’s good to know hard work is paying off and giving me the opportunity. It’s my time to take the opportunity and run with it.” 

Spiers was not favored win the spot with such tough competition in camp.

“I’ve had to earn everything. From being a walkon in college to not being drafted here. It’s awesome for me and my family. Now is the time to take the opportunity and show what I can do.”

His family was the first to know after Francona told him he made the rotation.

"I had to call my wife. I couldn’t let the word get out before she knew. I called her. I called my parents. Now everybody is ready to make the trip to Cincinnati.”

Graham Ashcraft was informed that he will pitch out of the bullpen to start the year. He was scheduled to start the game on March 20 but pitched out of the bullpen instead. Brent Suter started.

“He is going to be pitching out of the bullpen,” Francona said.

“I feel like my personality type will fit it pretty well. I’m excited for it,” Ashcraft said. “I’ll roll with the punches, get going and see what happens. I’ve been talking to the guys and getting some good info from guys who have been starters and transitioned to the bullpen or like (Nick) Martinez, who has been a starter and reliever. I have to figure out what works for me. I relieved three or four times in college. The adrenaline rush is awesome. I’m excited to experience that side of it.”

Andrew Abbott will start the season on the injured list.

“Abbott will start the season on the IL, the reason being, if everything went perfect, he could have started game five. When you think about it he could start in a game out here (Goodyear) on opening day. He has to be on the IL roster, if we had a hiccup, we explained that to him.”

Abbott looked at the bright side.

“It gives me a chance to get a few more innings,” Abbott said. “I think I was ready but I’m not going to argue with it. I’m just going to do it and move on with it. There is no timetable. Maybe they’re waiting until I get to six up-downs. Everything is working. My arm’s feeling good.”

Lyon Richardson, was reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to Louisville.

“He had a really good camp,” Francona said. “He had life on his fastball. DJ (Derek Johnson) challenged him early to be aggressive. We told him when you get to within three or four days from when we break camp, we know it gets harder. It’s also a compliment he did so well. We told him to take it and run with it because there’s a lot to like.”

Richardson will work out of the bullpen.

Alexis Diaz pitched in a minor league game on the 18th.

“DJ thought it was a step in the right direction. We still have some work to do,” Francona said. “He will pitch again on the 22nd or 23rd. We want to make sure he's got his legs under him. We know what he can do. We want to make sure he's ready to do it.”