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Cincinnati Reds 2019 season (Black Hole)

Ervin trying to make OF decision difficult

By Mark Sheldon @m_sheldon
March 18, 2019
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Phillip Ervin knows he is making the roster puzzle of Reds' outfielders harder to solve, and he doesn’t mind that one bit.

“I really would hope so,” Ervin said on Monday. “I just came here to try to prove I can play here. That’s what I’m doing.”

Ervin, 26, leads the Cactus League with five spring home runs and his 31 total bases leads the team. After he went 2-for-4 with a sharply hit double down the left-field line during Monday’s outing to the Rockies, he is batting .361 with eight RBIs.

Cincinnati made Ervin’s path to making the club much more difficult after December’s seven-player trade that brought All-Star corner outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp from the Dodgers. Add in left fielder Jesse Winker while Nick Senzel and Scott Schebler compete to win the starting center fielder’s job, and that’s a really crowded outfield.

“It makes the team better, and that’s what I’m for,” Ervin said of the trade. “I feel like it makes me be better because I have to compete and obviously get better to make the team. I’m not really worried about it. [I felt] if I come here and do what I’m supposed to do, everything will fall into place.”

How it all falls into place with one week remaining in Spring Training remains a mystery, but Reds manager David Bell has been very impressed.

“Not only the spring he’s had, but he’s been a part of this team in years past,” Bell said. “We know what he can do. He’s only helped his cause by the spring he’s had. We’ve liked everything we’ve seen. He’s certainly in the mix.”

Ervin batted .252/.324/.404 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 78 big league games over three stints with the Reds last season. Under the direction of new hitting coach Turner Ward and assistant hitting coach Donnie Ecker, he’s been able to access his power during camp like he hadn’t before.

“What is different is they helped me with my stance and understanding my hips a little better,” Ervin said. “I’m staying through the ball a little more. I guess my [swing] path is a little cleaner.”


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Ervin's tough catch at the wall00:20Mar. 18th, 2019
Ervin’s biggest shortcoming last season was defensively in both left and right field. He often took poor routes to balls and missed the cutoff man with his throws. He’s dedicated himself to improving, and it showed in the 6-3 loss against Rockies on Monday with a nice catch at the left-field wall to take a hit from Charlie Blackmon in the fourth inning. Blackmon settled for a sacrifice fly.

“I put myself in difficult situations in practice that may be more difficult than game situations,” Ervin said. “I play extra shallow during BP so I can try work on my range. I might get burned on some balls in BP, but I am trying to learn my range and work on my routes.

“I’m using a smaller infield glove when shagging. It makes me focus on the ball more. There’s less room for error. I have to catch it with the really small pocket. Hopefully, when I use my big glove, it’s easier.”

The paths for Ervin to make the team – short of an injury – would be for the club to carry five outfielders or go with a five-man bench. Ervin’s chances would also improve if Senzel – the organization’s No. 1 prospect – did not make the club with Schebler named the center fielder. With Kemp also lacking a defined role, the Reds could also explore moving the left fielder in a trade to an outfield-deprived club after the very nice Spring Training he’s had.

“He’s here. We know him. We like him a lot,” Bell said of Ervin. “He’s had a great spring. It’s tough decisions, but it’s a good place to be having the depth and the really solid options that we have in the outfield.”


https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/phillip-ervin-hoping-to-earn-reds-roster-spot
 
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Reds reassign 5 players to Minor League camp

By Mark Sheldon @m_sheldon
March 18, 2019
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Reds' latest round of Spring Training roster moves on Monday morning featured no surprises, but still carried a notable name. Left-handed pitcher Brandon Finnegan was unable to regain his form after two mostly lost seasons and was among the five players re-assigned to Minor League camp.

Joining Finnegan were right-handed pitchers Vladimir Gutierrez and Jesus Reyes, left-handed pitcher Buddy Boshers and infielder Christian Colon.

In six spring games, including one starts, Finnegan had a 19.80 ERA with nine hits, six walks and eight strikeouts over five innings. He gave up four earned runs over two-thirds of an inning in both of his last two appearances.

“I think there’s points in everybody’s career where it’s kind of a turning point,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I told Brandon, and I firmly believe he is right there. At times, he may not have had the results that he wanted. Just really a couple of weeks ago, he’s right in the mix to be on this team. That doesn’t change in two weeks. He still is.”

Finnegan tied for the team lead with 31 starts in 2016 while posting a 3.98 ERA. In 2017, he was limited to four starts because of a strained lat and then a strained teres major muscle near his shoulder. Last season, the 25-year-old was 0-3 with a 7.40 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A Louisville. There, he was 2-10 with a 7.05 ERA in 28 games, including nine starts.

“He’s already done it, which is a huge advantage. He knows how to do it,” Bell said. "It’s just getting back to that. Sometimes it feels so far away. Looking at him from the outside, looking at him, it’s so close. That was the big message to him.”

Gutierrez, 23, is ranked as the organization’s No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and may have opened the most eyes during a mostly impressive camp. He had a 6.75 ERA in five games, with two starts, but only allowed earned runs in one game -- five -- over 1 2/3 innings on March 8 vs. the Royals. It’s likely he will begin this season in Louisville.

“I think Vladdy had a great spring,” Bell said. “It gave us a great opportunity to see what he was capable of. He brought up the question, ‘Is he going to make this team’, quite a few times. In the end, we want to do what’s best for him. He put himself in a really good position. He’s super close to where he needs to be.”


Wood throws in bullpen

Reds left-handed starting pitcher Alex Wood (sore lower back) returned to a mound on Monday and threw in a side bullpen session at the team complex. Wood hasn’t pitched in a Cactus League game since his lone start on Feb. 25 and will not be ready for the start of the regular season.

“No timetable for when he’ll be pitching in the Major Leagues again, but early-to-mid April would be [the target] if everything goes perfect. That’s pretty good news, really, looking at the big picture,” Bell said. “I think that would be pushing a little too hard to get him ready by Opening Day.”


Mahle hit hard

A likely candidate to replace Wood in the rotation, Tyler Mahle, had his first rough outing of spring in Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Rockies. Mahle pitched four innings and gave up four earned runs and seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Several of the hits against Mahle were barreled, including Ryan McMahon’s homer to straightaway center field leading off the second inning.

“It wasn’t good. A lot of hard-hit balls and bad pitches,” Mahle said. “Nothing was coming out of my hand right.”

It was the first runs Mahle allowed in four Cactus League games, leaving him with a 3.60 ERA. He feels ready for the regular season and has been pleased with the ongoing development of his secondary pitches -- a curveball and a hybrid split-finger/changeup pitch.

“I’m still excited about everything,” Mahle said. “Bad outings are going to happen, and stuff isn’t going to feel good in your hand one day. Sure enough the last hitter, [Nolan] Arenado, I threw him three really good curveballs and then I’m out of there because of four innings and my pitch count.”

Following the game, Bell stopped just short of saying Mahle made the team.

“He’s right there, definitely,” Bell said. “Coming into this spring, we knew how important he was for this team. So yeah, I think he’s right there."


Up next

The Reds will host the White Sox in Tuesday’s 9:05 p.m. ET game at Goodyear Ballpark. Much of the regular lineup is expected to play deep into the game, including Joey Votto, while Lucas Sims is scheduled as the starting pitcher.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/reds-reassign-5-players-in-spring-training
 
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Gray faces Minor Leaguers, remains on track

By Mark Sheldon @m_sheldon
March 19, 2019
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In a Minor League game, Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray threw 70 pitches over four innings against mostly Triple-A players for the Indians on Tuesday.

Gray, who had his spring interrupted by right elbow stiffness just ahead of the Cactus League opener, still feels right on track for the regular season.


“Overall, I feel good and got to work on a lot stuff,” Gray said. “It was obviously a little later start to spring than I would have liked but sometimes those things are out of your control. I feel very good and look forward to what’s ahead.”

Later in the day, Reds manager David Bell announced that Gray would start the regular season’s second game vs. the Pirates, on March 30, at Great American Ball Park. Luis Castillo was named the Opening Day starter vs. Pittsburgh on March 28.

Bell has been pleased with what he’s seen from Gray since he returned to pitching. In his two Cactus League starts, he has five scoreless innings.

“It’s been nothing but uphill since he started pitching again. Everything has been great,” Bell said.


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Gray on 1st start with Reds00:54Mar. 9th, 2019
Gray went 11-9 with a 4.90 ERA in 30 games last season for the Yankees. He was acquired by the Reds in a January trade and signed to a three-year, $30.5 million contract.

During the tune-up vs. Cleveland, Gray got to face big leaguers Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor.

“I faced them four or five times apiece,” he said. “That got pretty fun there at the end facing those guys over and over.”

Gray also liked working in the Minor League game setting on the back field.

“It’s very different. I think it was very beneficial for me today to throw because you can monitor it a little bit more,” Gray said. “I really needed to go over there and compete always and attack guys and make pitches. I really needed to get over and get a certain amount of innings and build the pitch count up.”

Gray expected to throw 85-90 pitches in his next scheduled start, Sunday vs. the Rockies.



Wisler making a push for bullpen spot
Against the White Sox on Tuesday night, reliever Matt Wisler followed starter Lucas Sims and pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout. Wisler, who is out of options, has a 1.93 ERA through eight appearances this spring.

There are two open spots in the Reds’ bullpen with Wisler having a good chance as he competes against pitchers like Sal Romano, Cody Reed, Wandy Peralta and Ian Krol.

“He definitely is [in contention],” Bell said. “Not because he’s out of options. It’s a factor, but he’s just pitched really well. The velocity is up. I had never had seen him a lot. He’s just had an impressive Spring Training and put himself right there, right in the mix.”



Up next: When the Reds face the Rangers Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. ET in Surprise, Ariz., Tanner Roark is slated to start for Cincinnati. Jared Hughes, Anthony Bass and Peralta are also expected to pitch.


https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/reds-sonny-gray-on-track-for-regular-season
 
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Castillo gets call on Opening Day for Reds

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In a somewhat surprising turn Tuesday, Reds manager David Bell named Luis Castillo as the club’s Opening Day starter. Castillo will start the March 28 game vs. the Pirates at Great American Ball Park.

Bell told Castillo and the other pitchers the news about an hour before Tuesday’s game vs. the White Sox.

“It’s a big day, an important day. It is one game but at the same time, it’s a very important day,” Bell said. “He should be happy with it. He should be proud of it and he should feel great having that honor to pitch Opening Day. And he did. He was all smiles. It was a lot of fun delivering that message to him. He’s going to be ready.”

Castillo was chosen over two offseason acquisitions, Sonny Gray and Tanner Roark, both with veteran experience. Returning pitcher Anthony DeSclafani has also been with the club longer. All three pitchers are having strong springs.

Bell also revealed the order of starters after Castillo: Gray, Roark and DeSclafani. The fifth spot is still to be determined. The third offseason rotation addition, Alex Wood, is expected to begin the season on the injured list because of a sore lower back.

“We trust all of our guys, but we couldn’t be happier having Luis Castillo pitching Opening Day,” Bell said. “We called the other guys in and had great conversations with them. They’re great team players and they get it. They’ll be looking forward to their day.”

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/luis-castillo-to-start-opening-day-for-reds
 
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Chuck Harmon, first African-American Reds player, dead at 94
chuckharmon.jpg
SPORTS
Chuck Harmon leaves the field after being presented with the Powel Crosley Jr. Award prior to the start of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, April 15, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)


10TV WEB STAFF


PUBLISHED: 13 MINUTES AGO
Chuck Harmon, the first African-American player with the Cincinnati Reds, has died. He was 94.

According to WCPO, Harmon was at his home in Golf Manor when he passed away Tuesday morning.

Harmon made his debut with the Reds on April 17, 1954. He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies.

Before his career in baseball, Harmon won two consecutive Indiana state championships in basketball.

According to MLB.com, he went on to work as a scout for MLB teams and the NBA's Indiana Pacers.


https://www.10tv.com/article/chuck-harmon-first-african-american-reds-player-dead-94-2019-mar
 
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Cincinnati Reds notebook: José Iglesias steps in at shortstop; 2 pitchers cut from camp
Fletcher Page and Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati EnquirerPublished 2:59 p.m. ET March 24, 2019 | Updated 3:31 p.m. ET March 24, 2019


Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell provides details about Scooter Gennett's injury. Fletcher Page, [email protected]


GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Hours after learning on Saturday he would likely be the Reds' starting shortstop for the next two months, José Iglesias blasted two home runs in a Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians.

Generally known for his adept defensive skills, the power display continued a strong spring at the plate for the 29-year-old Cuban who signed last month as a minor league free agent.

Iglesias has a .341/.357/.537 slash line in 42 plate appearances this spring.

"You think of him as a defensive player but he's had a lot of success offensively," said Reds manager David Bell. "He puts the ball in play, hits a lot of line drives. He showed some power the other day. I know he has pop in his bat, but to right field like that is good to see. I think he's feeling good."

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New signee Jose Iglesias tightens up his gloves at the Cincinnati Reds spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Photo: Sam Greene)


Positives at the plate from Iglesias will help cover for Scooter Gennett's absence. José Peraza moved from short to second base to fill the void created by Gennett's strained groin suffered this week that will sideline him two to three months.

Gennett had a .310/.357/.490 slash line last season, hitting 23 home runs with 92 RBI. Bell said prior to the injury that Gennett could hit anywhere from leadoff to the 5-spot in the lineup.

The production and versatility will be difficult to replace.

"It's bad news for the team regardless of where I'm at," Iglesias said. "Scooter is a big part of us. He's a great guy to have around. Unfortunately, it went that way, but I'm excited for the opportunity to pick him up and pick up the organization. But you miss a guy like him."

Last year with the Detroit Tigers, Iglesias batted .269, his highest average since 2015, and stole a career-high 15 bases. His Major League track record and spring training performance combined, Iglesias earned a spot on the 25-man roster before Gennett's injury. He will make $2.5 million when he's added to the roster.

His contributions mean that much more now.

"That's why I'm here, because I could make this team better from the bench," Iglesias said. "Even if it wasn't who I am, it's going to help the team. Everything is about to help the team win and put the team in a position to win. At the end of the day, it was an easy decision."

BULLPEN BATTLE:
The Reds reassigned relievers Anthony Bass and Matt Bowman to minor league camp Saturday evening. Wandy Peralta, Robert Stephenson and Matt Wisler are competing for the final two spots in the bullpen and they will all travel to Atlanta for exhibition games Monday and Tuesday.

“Both of those guys we believed in and knew could help us,” Bell said. “It was a tough call. I was really impressed with Anthony. I think he’s a Major League pitcher. Great to have him in the organization, his depth, and we believe in him.”

Bowman allowed a two-run homer in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game against the Indians, though both runs were unearned. Bell reassured Bowman that the homer didn’t factor into the cut and the manager thought it was Bowman’s best outing of the spring.

“I think the big thing for him this spring is he showed he’s healthy,” Bell said of Bowman.

Stephenson and Wisler are out of minor league options and must be placed on waivers if they don’t make the 25-man roster. That should give them an advantage in the competition for a roster spot. Peralta has thrown nine scoreless innings this spring with only one walk.

“We know what (Peralta) can do,” Bell said. “He’s in a really good spot. It’s going to be a tough call.”

REGULAR LINEUP?
In the Reds’ Cactus League finale, they had most of their regulars in the lineup with Jesse Winker leading off and followed by Joey Votto, Matt Kemp, Eugenio Suárez, Yasiel Puig, José Peraza, José Iglesias and Tucker Barnhart.

Scott Schebler is expected to be the everyday center fielder, but is that how the lineup will typically look at the start of the season?

“I've thought a lot about it,” Bell said. “I really do think it could be a little different each day. The one today, I think is pretty close to what it could be.”

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sp...cfKcrzFhn8FJRoDzo7XV6sKDGHEiXawRrT8PxVbCJAui4
 
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