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Cincinnati Reds 2019 season (Black Hole)

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Thought I'd look in on them today and see what Senzel is all about

:lol:

Fruity bastard goes 0-3 with a particularly feeble, 3 pitch strike out against some putz who had an ERA north of 7 last year.

He's going to fit in to the "Reds Way" of failure and defeat just fine.

As a bonus reminder that anything they touch turns to instant shit, Woods got pounded for 3 runs in the first inning.

Reds fever. Catch it.
 
Upvote 0
Jaxbuck said:
Thought I'd look in on them today and see what Senzel is all about

:lol:

Fruity bastard goes 0-3 with a particularly feeble, 3 pitch strike out against some putz who had an ERA north of 7 last year.

He's going to fit in to the "Reds Way" of failure and defeat just fine.

As a bonus reminder that anything they touch turns to instant shit, Woods got pounded for 3 runs in the first inning.

Reds fever. Catch it.
Click to expand...

Such a rosy picture was being painted about the zomgawesomeness!1!!1 that was going to take place if Senzel could play CF...
 
Upvote 0
Down 15 pounds, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan looks to bounce back from 'embarrassing' season
Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati EnquirerPublished 12:10 p.m. ET Feb. 26, 2019

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – As Reds pitchers begin playing catch before another spring training workout, Brandon Finnegan stands a few feet to the side of the field. He’s in front of a cement wall with about a half-dozen plyo balls. They are a little heavier than a baseball, but they can help develop arm strength.

Finnegan stands in front of the wall, mimics his pitching wind-up and throws it against the wall. Then he does it again. And again. And again.

He said he started using plyo balls after dealing with pain in his bicep last year, throwing with them about six times a week in the offseason. He’s worked on shortening up his arm path to lessen the strain on his shoulder and bicep.

After the year he had, he knew something needed to change.

“It was a very embarrassing year,” Finnegan said. “Just like anybody else in here, if you don’t expect excellence from yourself, then what are you doing here? It was really, really embarrassing for me.”


572a768f-4fa2-457b-bdfa-69a59d7831e0-021319_REDS_489.jpg

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan (29) works out on the side, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at the Cincinnati Reds spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo11: Kareem Elgazzar)


Finnegan struggled in the Major Leagues, allowing 17 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings across five starts. He walked more hitters (15) than he struck out (14). The Reds demoted him to Triple-A Louisville and Finnegan thought it would be a short stay. Instead, it kept snowballing.

In the minor leagues, he had a 7.05 ERA in 28 appearances. Opposing hitters had a .323 batting average against him. He was moved from starter to reliever, but it didn't help. He wasn’t among the group of September call-ups.

He's ready to move on from last season, but it bothers him. Talking to a reporter, he stares straight ahead into the middle of the clubhouse.

“I got sent down and it kind of messed with me mentally and that’s my fault,” he said. “At first, I took it as ‘all right, I’m going to work my (butt) off and get back up there.’ I threw really well to start off with, but then it all just went downhill.

"The bad thing is when I had a bad one, it wasn’t just one run, it was a couple runs. I’d go have a few good outings in a row, then I’d give up a couple of runs. That’s why the ERA was so high."

Finnegan has never lacked confidence. He became the first player to ever pitch in the College World Series and the MLB World Series in the same season. He spent more time in the minor leagues last season than any other year.

He called last season a roller coaster ride. Every time he thought he was making progress, he was roughed up in another outing. Watching him pitch, it was apparent that he was frustrated.

“Last year, when I got down, it was a tough spot for me,” Finnegan said. “It’s not that I didn’t trust my stuff, it’s just that any time something didn’t go my way, I let it be known. That’s my fault. I do show a lot of emotion on the mound, so that’s where it comes from.”

9b089268-50bf-413c-8efc-8670bd268046-021419_REDS_24.jpg

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Zach Duke (32) walks with pitcher Brandon Finnegan as pitchers and catchers work out, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at the Cincinnati Reds spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo11: Kareem Elgazzar, The Enquirer)


This spring will represent a reset button, but things won’t be the same as before. He doesn’t have a guaranteed spot on the 25-man roster. He will be built up like a starter during camp – he said he’s fine with any role – but he will likely be one of many guys competing for the final bullpen spots.

When Finnegan entered the offseason, he texted Reds strength coach Sean Marohn about his plan to lose weight. He lost 20 pounds, then gained five pounds when he started lifting weights again. He's closer to his college weight.

He saw former teammates Caleb Cotham and Dan Straily use plyo balls in past years, so decided to give them a try.

“Something needed to be changed,” he said.

There’s a difference in spring training for pitchers assured of spots on the team and pitchers competing for spots. Results will matter more than before. In his first outing of the spring, he gave up two runs on three hits, including a solo homer on his second pitch.


Since Finnegan’s first full season with the Reds in 2016, he’s pitched only 33 innings at the Major League level. He missed most of the ’17 season because of multiple shoulder injuries.

“It’s definitely tough coming out here for the first time since I’ve been with the Reds and not having a set spot on the team,” Finnegan said. “I just have to compete. I expect to be on the Opening Day roster in the bullpen. I’m fine. I don’t care what I do. I just want to be on the big-league team to help them out in any way I possibly can.”

Finnegan knows he's the same guy who had a lot of success early in his career, but he's constantly reached out to veteran teammates for advice. He's hopeful that his offseason changes will transform him back to where he wants to be.

"I’m 25 years old," Finnegan said. "I’m not even close to my full potential and I’m not even close to having my top peak performance. I want to get to that point.

“It was just a bad year. It was just one of those years. Everyone has them. It’s time for me to turn it into a positive."

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sp...k4dMW8YvXjpo-YuVjAx7-7es0ADwAUrZXzPiozLYy76JQ
 
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Wood feels strong despite shaky debut

By Mark Sheldon @m_sheldon

February 25, 2019




Wood gave up three earned runs and two hits with one walk. He went into full counts multiple times, including Shed Long with a leadoff walk. Following a wild pitch that advanced Long, Edwin Encarnacion hit an RBI double. With two outs, Domingo Santana crushed a first pitch to left-center field for a two-run home run.

“I would have liked a better start for sure, but that’s what Spring Training is for,” Wood said. “You come to a new place and you want to make a good first impression, even if it is in spring. Obviously, three runs in the first are not what you want, but physically, I felt all right. So, I will get some work in the bullpen and getting ready for the next one.

“I wasn’t in the zone as much as I typically am,” he said. “I’ve been working on a few things. I tried to go out there and throw and get some of the rust off.”

In Los Angeles last season, Wood was 9-7 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 33 games (including 27 starts). He switched to pitching solely from the stretch, but has brought back the windup for 2019.

“It’s not as big of a deal as anybody makes it. It’s another component I added back in for a different look,” Wood said.

Votto faces Kikuchi

In his Mariners debut, Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi pitched two innings with two unearned runs. His one strikeout came against Joey Votto in the first inning. On a curveball, Votto took a poor swing for strike three.

“Oh my God. Curveball? Very good curveball,” Votto said. “It's very surprising. In the league right now, there are not many pitchers that throw a curveball like it. Ryu for the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw from the Dodgers. Maybe a couple of others that throw a very traditional curveball like that from the left-hand side. It has lots of potential.”



Kikuchi enjoyed the chance to face Votto.


“It’s Spring Training, so I’m sure he’s tuning up his swing as well,” Kikuchi said through translator Justin Novak. “But to strikeout a hitter of Votto’s caliber, I’m really happy about the result today.”

Farmer gets start at shortstop

Kyle Farmer is primarily a catcher but can play five positions. That includes shortstop, where he started on Monday against Seattle. It’s not often that a catcher has the skills to also play shortstop.

“It really is [rare],” Reds manager David Bell said. “It’s all about footwork. He has really, really good feet. He loves the position. He really enjoys it. It will be fun watching him play.”

Farmer, who arrived with Wood from the Dodgers and is trying to earn a bench spot, has logged only 10 Minor League games at shortstop and none in the Major Leagues. He can also play first base, second base and third base.

“The guys who have been working with him [are] Barry [Larkin], Delino [DeShields]. Actually, Barry spent a lot of time with him this spring and was very impressed with his footwork,” Bell said.

Injury report

Starting pitcher Sonny Gray, who was scratched from Saturday’s start with right elbow stiffness, threw on flat ground Sunday. Gray hasn’t yet been scheduled for a side bullpen session or his first game.

“Progressing,” Bell said of Gray. “We’ll need to progress him with the side [sessions] and maybe a live BP.”F

Infielder Alex Blandino is still working himself back from reconstructive right knee surgery and remains on track in camp, but he isn’t scheduled yet for game action.


“It’s probably not fast enough for him,” Bell said. “I know he sees the finish line. He’s obviously delayed for this camp and Spring Training games. Don’t exactly have a date when he’ll be ready for game action or ready for the season.”

Worth noting

• Catcher Tucker Barnhart was scratched from Monday’s lineup. Barnhart later wrote on Twitter that his wife, Sierra, had to be rushed to the hospital for because of a likely kidney stone. Prospect Chris Okey replaced Barnhart in the lineup.

• Reds pitching consultant and former Red Sox manager John Farrell arrived in camp Monday. Farrell, who served as a scout and advisor for Cincinnati last season and interviewed for the managerial vacancy in October, will primarily work with Minor League pitchers but could also help out in big league camp.

• Former Reds manager Lou Piniella chose not to return this season to his role as a senior advisor to baseball operations.

“He’s still a phone call away,” Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said.

Up next

The Reds return to Goodyear Ballpark Tuesday for a 3:10 p.m. ET game vs. the Giants. Bullpen candidate Brandon Finnegan is getting the expected one-inning start, with Amir Garrett, Zach Duke, Jared Hughes and David Hernandez scheduled to get work as well.


https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/alex-wood-feels-good-despite-shaky-reds-debut
 
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Sonny Gray's sore elbow looking like a spring training blip now
John Fay, Cincinnati EnquirerPublished 1:36 p.m. ET Feb. 26, 2019


GOODYEAR, Arizona – Sonny Gray’s setback is looking like a spring training blip.

“Looking back, that’s what you hope,” Gray said. “I’ve still got some things to do. It’s been all good.”

Gray, the Cincinnati Reds' 29-year-old right-hander, was scratched from starting the spring opener Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

“Everything is going well,” Gray said. “I’ll play catch (Tuesday) and see how it goes afterward. I’ve been throwing the last couple of days. Everything’s been fine. I’m trying to take it slow, get back in the swing of things and take it from there.”

Gray is scheduled to throw a side bullpen session on Thursday.

“That's part of the progression of building him up to get him in game,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “The day hasn’t been determined for game activity.”

“If he’s throwing a side, that’s a great step. I talked to him (Monday), he’s very positive. It’s getting better each day. It’s a great sign.”

Having Gray miss a start was a major scare for the Reds, who are counting on Gray, Tanner Roark and Alex Wood to stabilize the rotation.

But the setback never got Gray down.

“It’s a pleasure seeing him every day, walking by him and seeing the smile on his face,” Bell said. “He didn’t have a smile on his face one day when he was pretty concerned, but every day since then, it’s come back. You tell by looking at his face that his arm is feeling better.”

SCARE FOR TUCKER: Catcher Tucker Barnhart was warming up Alex Wood in the bullpen when trainer Steve Baumann called him aside Monday.

“The first thing I thought was my wife and son had been in a car wreck,” Barnhart said.

It wasn’t that bad, but his wife, Sierra, ended up in the emergency room with a kidney stone. She’s OK and was released.

“She’s fine,” Barnhart said.

OPENING DAY STARTER: Twenty-nine days until Opening Day and it’s not very clear who the Opening Day starter will be. The upcoming schedule doesn’t give a clue.

Roark and Luis Castillo, candidates to start the opener, are both pitching on the same day.

WINKER DEBUT: Jesse Winker made his spring debut Tuesday.

“I’m back,” he said.

Winker, 25, had not played in a game since July 26. He had season-ending surgery on his right (non-throwing shoulder) July 31.

Winker hit .299 with seven home runs and 43 RBI in 281 at-bats as a rookie. His on-base percentage of .405 was second to Joey Votto’s on the team.

“We want him to be who he is,” Bell said. “It will be fun to see him out on the field. It was hard for him to be patient for a few extra days. But he’s ready to go, feeling great. I’ve really enjoyed my time with him.

“We’ve had quite a few interactions. I went on the caravan with him. I’ve gotten to know him well. He doesn’t have to be anyone different than exactly who he is.”

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sp...wqMHtNYpz6IdXGKfeIW8YpdWIadpn5maT4KCDAdE2UAm8
 
Upvote 0
Jaxbuck said:
Thought I'd look in on them today and see what Senzel is all about

:lol:

Fruity bastard goes 0-3 with a particularly feeble, 3 pitch strike out against some putz who had an ERA north of 7 last year.

He's going to fit in to the "Reds Way" of failure and defeat just fine.

As a bonus reminder that anything they touch turns to instant shit, Woods got pounded for 3 runs in the first inning.

Reds fever. Catch it.
Click to expand...
More spring training optimism I see.
 
Upvote 0
Iglesias tosses inning in spring debut vs. Cubs
Gray set to face hitters; Hernandez (shoulder) feeling better


By Mark Sheldon @m_sheldon

March 4, 2019




“I felt really good today,” Iglesias said through an interpreter. “My pitches were there, my velocity was there. That’s my main focus right now -- keep throwing my pitches and get ready for Opening Day.”

Iglesias opened by walking Daniel Descalso, then later gave up a two-out RBI double to right-center field to Mark Zagunis.

“It was really good to see Iglesias get out there and get the first one out of the way,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I thought he was throwing the ball well. In some ways, it looked like he hadn’t been out there. But the velocity was there. I think he was trying to find his groove a little bit.”

Injuries were not behind the decision to keep Iglesias out of Cincinnati’s first nine spring games. It was worked out as a plan with Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson.

“Last year, I started throwing pretty early,” Iglesias said. “By the end of the spring, I was kind of tired, so I decided to talk to the coaches and maybe try getting into the games later this spring so I would be 100 percent and ready to go for Opening Day.”

Gray to face hitters

Starter Sonny Gray, who has yet to get into a Cactus League game because of right elbow stiffness, will face Minor League hitters in batting practice on Tuesday.

“With his injury, he’s making great progress,” Bell said. “Every day since I found out about it, it’s gotten better. He’s going to be fine.”

Hernandez’s shoulder better

Reliever David Hernandez has yet to get into a spring game. Originally on a plan similar to the one Iglesias had, he came down with right shoulder soreness.

“After my first live BP and the next couple of days, I felt a little more sore than usual,” Hernandez said Monday morning. “Instead of having the same thing go on that happened last year, I decided to say something immediately rather than wait until the third or fourth week of March and then miss the first three weeks of the season.”

Hernandez, who signed a two-year, $5 million contract as a free agent before the 2018 season, missed most of the first month of the 2018 season because of right shoulder inflammation.

After throwing two bullpen sessions, including one on Monday, Hernandez is scheduled to face hitters in batting practice on Wednesday. He could get into a game by the end of the week.

“It all depends on how the live BP goes,” Hernandez said. “Playing catch, I feel fine. It’s ramping up the intensity is what inflamed my shoulder.”

Ervin having hot spring

Bell already has his hands full in trying to find spots for corner outfielders. And now, another one is having a fantastic spring in Phillip Ervin, who is batting .353 and leads the team with three home runs.

“He’s a guy, what he’s doing right now, we could be seeing some growth, some adjustments that he’s made, it’s something we think could continue into the season,” Ervin said. “We’ll see him the rest of spring. He’s definitely in the picture. We know him. We know what he can do. The way he’s playing right now, he’s making a strong case for himself.”

Votto not in camp

Reds first baseman Joey Votto was not present in camp on Monday, which was planned.

“There’s some guys in camp that we’ve strategically given days off to, to not come in. Today was his day,” Bell said. “It’s part of the individual plans we’ve put together.”

Up next


The Reds have a scheduled off-day from Cactus League action on Tuesday. They resume play with Wednesday’s 8:05 p.m. ET game vs. the Padres in Goodyear. Bell has not yet revealed his probable pitchers.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/raisel-iglesias-makes-spring-training-debut
 
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Gray, Wood slated to return this weekend
Senzel (left hamstring) returns to lineup Thursday; Casali debuts

By Mark Sheldon @m_sheldon
March 7, 2019
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Even though their injuries were considered minor speed bumps of Spring Training, the Reds and fans can breathe a little easier knowing that two-fifths of their revamped rotation is set to return.

After it was revealed Wednesday that Sonny Gray would make his spring debut on Saturday vs. the Padres, it was learned Thursday that lefty Alex Wood would likely pitch this weekend as well. Reds manager David Bell also felt they could be ready for the start of the regular season.

“We’re not going to rush them or push them unnecessarily to be able to get them to do that,” Bell said. “But the way it turns out, and if they don’t have any more setbacks, there’s no reason to believe they can’t be.”

Wood last pitched on Feb. 25 against the Mariners and labored in one inning, with three earned runs and two hits allowed and one walk. During a side session later in camp, he came down with a sore lower back.

"I got a little inflamed in my back,” Wood said. “We were already going to do a little extra work in between my first outing and my next game. Then I got pretty hot [in the back] after my first bullpen after that start. I took it easy for a couple of days. I’m trending in the right direction. I threw a ‘pen yesterday and should be having a game this weekend hopefully.”

Wood threw 26 pitches in his side bullpen session on Wednesday. He’s dealt with back soreness in the past, but it’s never been a serious issue.

“If it was in season, we would probably manage it a little differently, but we have a little time right now,” Wood said. “Just kind of getting inflammation out of there, but all good. No worries.”

Gray missed his first scheduled start on Feb. 23 because of right elbow stiffness.

“What a difference 10 days makes,” Bell said. “He’s made a ton of progress. It was a little bit of a setback. If it keeps going in this direction, which we believe it will, he’s really right on track to start. We don’t know what day he’s going to start -- sometime within in the first week to 10 days for sure. It could be sooner.”



Senzel returns

After he was given a couple of games off with a tight left hamstring, center fielder Nick Senzel went 1-for-3 during his start in Thursday’s 11-3 loss to the Mariners. Senzel singled to left field in the sixth inning.

Bell was pleasantly surprised that Senzel could return as quick as he did.

“I thought maybe that would be [Friday] or the next day. But he came in ready to go yesterday.”

Ranked as the Reds’ No. 1 prospect and No. 6 overall by MLB Pipeline, Senzel is playing the outfield for the first time this year and competing for the starting center fielder’s job. Running the different routes of an outfield is different than working in the infield.

“I think we got lucky there that it was just minor, like a reminder to take care of his legs and making sure we’re doing everything we can to help him adjust to a completely different position both with the way you run and the way you throw,” Bell said. “I think we’ll just be on top of it even more.”



Casali makes spring debut

In his first game of spring, backup catcher Curt Casali went 1-for-2 with a leadoff single in the first inning on Thursday. Casali, who started as the designated hitter, was working his way back from left hip surgery in October to repair the labrum.

“The DH part, we were saying middle of the month. From a catching standpoint, I think it’s the 10th he’ll catch,” Bell said. “That’s pretty much been the plan all along.”



Bell remembers Ichiro

During Thursday’s game, Bell saw a former teammate in the opposing dugout in Ichiro Suzuki. The Japanese outfield great arrived to Seattle in 2001, where Bell was a third baseman.

“Nobody knew what to expect really from him coming over from Japan,” Bell said. “He was almost immediately a superstar. I remember in Spring Training, he has this plan like he is an artist at the plate. … He didn’t hit a ball out of the infield, I don’t think, the entire [spring]. He just chopped the ball down to the left side. Finally, Lou Piniella, our manager, got really concerned and he was like talking him into it, ‘Ichiro, just hit one home run, please, in BP.’ And he wouldn’t do it. We went into the season having no idea what this guy [would do]. It was all a part of his plan. He’s still doing it. It’s really incredible.”



Up next

Vladimir Gutierrez, the Reds' No. 8 prospect, will start Friday’s 3:05 p.m. ET game vs. the Royals in Surprise. Also scheduled to pitch are top relievers Raisel Iglesias and Jared Hughes.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/sonny-gray-alex-wood-to-return-from-injuries
 
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Reds’ Gray feels ‘really good moving forward’ after delayed spring debut
Sports
March 10, 2019
By
  • Associated Press, Staff Writer
PEORIA, ARIZ. —

Sonny Gray’s delayed debut for the Cincinnati Reds was a success.

Gray pitched two scoreless innings in his first spring training appearance Saturday night against the San Diego Padres. The 29-year-old right-hander, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the New York Yankees, was supposed to get into a game last week, but was scratched because of elbow discomfort.

“I was nervous, in a good way,” Gray said. “Excited more than nervous, I guess.”


Gray allowed two hits and struck out three, including Manny Machado. The Reds are counting on Gray to help lead their revamped rotation, handing over a new contract after the trade that added $30.5 million from 2020-22 and includes a 2023 club option.


“To come away with no runs and no walks, I’m very pleased,” Gray said. “Where we were a week and a half ago, to now, it’s good and I feel really good moving forward.”

He showed no signs of any health issues against San Diego, mixing in fastballs and breaking pitches in his first game since last September, when he was mopping up for the Yankees.

The former first-round pick from Vanderbilt finished the season with a 4.90 ERA and was not included on New York’s postseason roster, capping an unhappy 1 1/2 seasons in the Bronx after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics.

On Saturday, at least, everything seemed just fine with Gray.

“I threw a couple (high fastballs) up there. I was able to throw the curveball,” Gray said. “I had some swings and misses in the zone. That’s a good indicator on the effectiveness and the sharpness of your pitches.”

https://www.daytondailynews.com/spo...jbnI1Cug-hEHaDFAM2MuuSf8HGV2ITy8aemk2qeBQbJr8
 
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brodybuck21 said:
The former first-round pick from Vanderbilt finished the season with a 4.90 ERA and was not included on New York’s postseason roster, capping an unhappy 1 1/2 seasons in the Bronx after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics.
Click to expand...

Pitches in cavernous Oakland Coliseum, does well.

Pitches in Yankee Stadium, gets shelled.

Moves to GAB, ?????
 
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