Reds Invite Non Roster Players To Compete For Jobs

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Dateline: Cincinnati

The Reds invited to Major League spring training camp: RHP Tejay Antone, C Will Banfield, INF Michael Chavis, RHP Hagen Danner, INF Garrett Hampson, RHP Lyon Richardson, RHP Carson Spiers, INF Michael Toglia, and LHP Joel Valdez.

Antone is coming off his third elbow surgery. He has 45 appearances with five starts in between surgeries. He has been effective when healthy. The 32-year old sports a 2.47 over 76 2/3 innings. Antone's last appearance was on April 7, 2024.

Banfield filled in for Tyler Stephenson last season, appearing in seven games.

Chavis,30, was the top pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2014 draft. He signed with the Reds on Christmas Eve. He is a right handed hitter, who can play first, second and third base. Chavis played in 357 games in the Major Leagues with a .238 average and 45 home runs. He played for Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington. His best year was with Pittsburgh in 2022. He played in 129 games with a .229 average, 16 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and 49 RBI. He last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2023 with Washington. Chavis played in 48 games, hitting .242.

Danner,  27, signed with the Reds on January 7. He was the second round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 out of Huntington Beach, California High School. Danner has just 1/3 innings in his big league career, pitching against the Chicago Cubs in 2023 on August 11. Danner has 150 games of minor league experience. He pitched for Tacoma last season in the Seattle Mariners system. He pitched in 54 games in relief with a 6-4 record and a 5.59 ERA in 56 1/3 innings.

Hampson is 31-years old and is taking his second tour with the Reds, who signed him on December 29. He was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 18 last year. The Reds signed him six days later. He played in nine games with the Reds nine games with three hits in 18 at bats. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him on waivers on June 24, appearing in 35 games while hitting .103 until his release on September 11.

Lyon Richardson is 27. He pitched for the Reds in 39 games over the last three seasons. He has a 0-5 record and a 6.05 ERA. He was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster when the Reds acquired Dane Myers. He was sent outright to Louisville's roster.

Carson Spiers earned a spot in the Reds starting rotation, saving a place for Andrew Abbott. He made two starts and logged a quality start in his first start against the Texas Rangers on April 1. The 28-year old pitched six innings and allowed just one run in a 1-0 loss. He has 14 starts and 29 appearances over three seasons. Carson has a 5-10 record with a 5.69 ERA in 117 innings. Spiers had UCL surgery on his right elbow in July. Spiers was granted free agency on November 21 and resigned with the Reds three days later.

Toglia is a 27-year old switch hitting first baseman/outfielder. The Reds signed him to a minor league contract on January 7 after the Colorado Rockies granted free agency to their top pick in the 2017 draft. He played in 88 games for Colorado last season. Toglia hit .190 with 15 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs and 32 RBI. Toglia hit 25 home runs in 116 games for the Rockies in 2024.

Valdez is a 25-year old left handed pitcher from El Seibo, Dominican Republic. He pitched in 26 games at Chattanooga last season. Valdez posted a 2-1 record with a 1.97 ERA. He was promoted to Louisville amd pitched in nine games with a 6.00 ERA. The Reds picked him up in the minor league phase of the 2024 draft from the New York Yankees system. He pitched 1/3 an inning for Escondigo in the Dominican Winter League after he became a free agent at the end of the season. He resigned with the Reds in December on a minor league contract.