Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings February 25, 2017

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1 Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings February 25, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY The U.S. Supreme Court decides, 6-3, that baseball is the only professional sport exempt from antitrust laws MLB.COM Injuries behind him, Davis eyes spot with Reds Right-hander reaches mph in 2-inning outing in Cactus League opener By Mark Sheldon / February 24th, COMMENTS SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The main stats that Reds pitching prospect Rookie Davis posted for Double-A Pensacola in 2016 would indicate he had some good numbers. But a closer look revealed some issues that frustrated the right-hander. Davis suffered a hip flexor injury in Spring Training and spent most of May on the disabled list with a right groin strain. It led to lowered velocity and a decreased strikeout rate, as the groin soreness lingered the rest of the year. "Whatever the issue was, I would try and fight through it and make sure I could throw every five days," Davis said on Friday after facing the Giants in the Cactus League opener. "Just from last year until today, it felt like the ball was coming out better. My main concern last year was can I get through this game healthy. Today it was just attack guys, be aggressive, compete." In the Reds' 6-4 loss to San Francisco, Davis pitched two innings and allowed one earned run with four hits, no walks and two strikeouts. Radar readings from scouts indicated his fastball was between mph, which is where it needs to be. "The thought of the injuries never entered my mind today, whereas last year it was, 'Is he going to go on this pitch, can I field that bunt, can I get over to first base?' It did play a role," Davis said. "I'm not sure how much, but just having confidence in it now is huge for me, to put it behind me and get ready for this upcoming year." Last season with Pensacola in 19 starts, Davis was 10-3 with a 2.94 ERA. There was a five-game run with Triple-A Louisville, where he was not successful and had a 7.50 ERA, which promoted a return to Double-A to finish the season. His strikeout-to-walks ratio dropped from 5.83 at Class A Advanced to Davis, 23, was part of the Dec. 28, 2015, trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Yankees for four players. MLBPipeline.com ranks Davis as the organization's No. 9 prospect. With Davis lacking the push-off power in his legs for his fastball, Reds manager Bryan Price felt he did a nice job trying to develop his secondary pitches. "He had the breaking ball, he worked on a hybrid slider-cutter, and then the changeup," Price said. "The changeup, for me, was really one of the areas that he really needed to focus on since last year to continue to move along as a starting pitcher. He made the most out of a tough situation. I thought his velocity started to show, come back up when he was in Triple-A toward the end of the year." Davis hopes he can fight his way on to the 25-man roster, especially with open spots in the rotation and bullpen. Price indicated he might have to overtake more developed young pitchers like Amir Garrett, Robert Stephenson, Cody Reed, Tim Adleman and Lisalverto Bonilla, but he didn't rule him out altogether. "It's a lifelong dream to pitch in the big leagues. It's so close and with how my body is responding, I'm able to recover quicker than I did last year," Davis said. "I think that plays a huge part in it. I'm going out every day with the plan of breaking camp with this club and being a starter. Until I'm told otherwise, that's going to be my goal." Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from Follow him on and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

2 Reds jump on Bumgarner in Cactus opener By Chris Haft and Mark Sheldon / MLB.com February 24th, COMMENTS SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Chris Marrero blasted a three-run, walk-off homer as the Giants rallied past the Reds, 6-4, in Friday's Cactus League opener at Scottsdale Stadium. Marrero, who finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs after replacing first baseman Brandon Belt in the fifth, followed Orlando Calixte's walk and Christian Arroyo's single off Reds right-hander Kevin Shackelford. The Reds jumped ahead with a pair of first-inning runs off San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner. Patrick Kivlehan's two-run, two-out single through the infield's left side opened the scoring and marred Bumgarner's lone inning of work. Bumgarner set up Kivlehan's hit by yielding Arismendy Alcantara's double and, with two outs, walking Adam Duvall and hitting Jesse Winker with a pitch to load the bases. "You'd like to have good results every time you get out there but, for the first time out, it's good to be back out there and face some hitters," Bumgarner said. San Francisco halved the difference in its half of the first against Reds starter Rookie Davis as Joe Panik singled and scored on Hunter Pence's double. Facing Wandy Peralta, the Giants scored again in the fifth. Jimmy Rollins walked and came around on singles by Gordon Beckham and Marrero. Replacing Davis was Reds prospect and roster candidate Sal Romano, who pitched two scoreless innings. Romano, trying to land a spot in the rotation or bullpen, allowed one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. "I was very excited just to be out there, to be honest with you," Romano said. "It didn't really matter who was hitting but the fact that most of the Giants lineup was in there was a good test for me. Definitely a good start to spring. I felt like my fastball was there. I was able to elevate it when I wanted to and it was down for most of the time." Cincinnati's Aristides Aquino smashed an RBI single off shortstop Calixte's glove in the seventh inning. That temporarily restored the Reds' two-run cushion and enabled them to survive the run that Wynton Bernard generated for the Giants in the eighth inning when he doubled and scored on a wild pitch. WHAT'S NEXT Reds: When the Reds return to Goodyear on Saturday, they will be the visiting team in the 3:05 p.m. ET game vs. the Indians, live on MLB.TV. It will mark the spring debut of regular players Joey Votto, Billy Hamilton and Eugenio Suarez while prospect and rotation candidate Amir Garrett is scheduled to start on the mound. Giants: Besides facing a split-squad of Chicago Cubs, Matt Cain and Ty Blach will square off against each other, in a sense, as the pair of fifth-starter candidates make their Cactus League debuts in a 12:05 p.m. PT Scottsdale Stadium encounter, live on an exclusive webcast. Chris Haft has covered the Giants since 2005, and for MLB.com since Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, follow him on Twitter and listen to his podcast. Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from Follow him on and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs Now 40, Arroyo's celebration tastes have changed By Mark Sheldon / February 24th, COMMENT GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Often the coolest person in the room and the most easygoing, it's hard to imagine Bronson Arroyo as the oldest guy anywhere. But the Reds pitcher hit the big milestone Friday, when he turned 40 years old. How did Arroyo plan to mark the big day? "The Waffle House, that's my favorite thing," Arroyo said on MLB Network on Thursday. "I'm not into the club scene anymore. It's probably going to be the casino, or I'm going to find a Denny's or an IHOP. When you're turning 40, you've got to go for the late breakfast."

3 There have been 25 Reds players that have played an age-40 season in the Major Leagues, according to BaseballReference.com, meaning they turned 40 on or before June 30. The last Reds player to appear in a game at age 40 was reliever Arthur Rhodes, who pitched in Game 2 of the National League Division Series vs. the Phillies on Oct. 8, Manager Bryan Price is one of many around the Reds who don't believe Arroyo looks 40. "Just the way he looks, conditions himself," Price said on Friday. "The other part is how he assimilates with everybody. There's no strangers with anybody out there. He fits in so well." Arroyo, who pitched for the Reds from , is back trying to make the club as a non-roster player after missing the last two seasons with arm injuries. He was excused from camp on Friday because he was sick. If Arroyo makes the team out of camp, he won't be close to being the oldest player in the Major Leagues. That distinction will belong to 43-year-old Bartolo Colon of the Braves. Ichiro Suzuki of the Marlins is also 43. Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from Follow him on and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Setback forces Reds' Herrera out of Classic Shoulder inflammation will keep second baseman from representing Colombia By Mark Sheldon / February 24th, COMMENTS GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Right shoulder inflammation has slowed Reds second-base prospect Dilson Herrera and will prevent him from representing Colombia in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Herrera, who was acquired from the Mets in the Aug. 1 trade for Jay Bruce, has been shut down from throwing. But he can still hit, and manager Bryan Price said he would start Herrera as the designated hitter on Saturday vs. the Indians. The game, which starts at 3:05 p.m. ET, will be shown live on MLB.TV. "It was a little bit tight. I've been working hard on my shoulder, so I think I will be all right really soon," Herrera said. The issue, Herrera noted, started happening a week ago. Herrera, who will turn 23 on March 3, dealt with soreness in the same shoulder last year. It bothered him at the start of the 2016 season, but after recovering fully, he missed several Triple-A games near the end of the season after he slept awkwardly on the team bus during a road trip. Although it appears that Jose Peraza has the inside track to be the regular second baseman after Brandon Phillips' Feb. 12 trade to the Braves, Herrera is still vying to make the club. He could fill a utility role similar to what Peraza did last season if he can show more versatility. The club has had Herrera work some at third base during camp. Herrera was disappointed but understood that he should skip the World Baseball Classic under the circumstances. "It's very important to work on my shoulder and be ready," Herrera said. "We've got to do it right. It's right to get ready for the season and stay healthy." Near the start of Spring Training, Price had revealed a personal preference that players competing for roster spots not leave camp to play in the World Baseball Classic. But that was not part of the decision-making process for Herrera in this case. "I would not bring someone in here and convince them not to represent their country," Price said. "He'll DH tomorrow, he's fine to hit. He's not OK to defend and throw. Until we have that -- his shoulder feeling good coming off the end of last year, and he had the soreness -- it doesn't make any sense to be playing defense in the WBC or for us." Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from Follow him on and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

4 CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Have we seen a new Billy Hamilton? C. Trent Rosecrans, crosecrans@enquirer.com Published 5:22 p.m. ET Feb. 24, 2017 Updated 14 hours ago GOODYEAR, Ariz. It clicked in Billy Hamilton s mind as soon as he heard it. Thursday the Reds center fielder went to a chiropractor who told him that when his mind was tense, his body followed. Any tension in the brain went from inside his head, down into his neck, shoulders and lower back. Mental tension equals physical tension. It makes all the sense in the world to him. It s simple, but a relaxed mind leads to a relaxed body. Even though this way of thinking about it was just explained to him in those terms this week, he saw the results of a similar approach during the second half of last season. When he was relaxed in the batters box, he was better there. It's from people thinking so much," Hamilton said. "He said the more you let your mind relax and have fun with the game, the better you're going to be. It's going to take the tension off. If Hamilton can produce in 2017 like he did after the All-Star break in 2016, it ll take off a lot of tension from the Reds. In the second half of 2016, Hamilton hit.293/.369/.333 with 36 steals in 45 games. It helped propel him to his best full season in regards to on-base percentage in his three-plus seasons in the big leagues, getting on base 32.1 percent of the time, just around the league average of If Hamilton can improve upon that, he can finally be the leadoff man the Reds and everyone around baseball have always dreamed he could be. There are those in Reds camp in Goodyear who think that just may be the case. I'm very optimistic that Billy's going to greatly exceed what we had seen his first two-and-a-half years in the league, Reds manager Bryan Price said. I think he's capable of exceeding those numbers, especially from an on-base and batting average perspective. The seeds of change were sown last season, as Hamilton struggled and went to watch teammate Joey Votto prepare for games. He watched everything Votto did and he also listened to everything Votto said. As the season progressed, Hamilton s hanging around led to an invitation and the two had an almost daily standing date. Before the entire team held batting practice, Hamilton and others would go work with Votto and hitting coach Don Long. More than anything, Hamilton said he listened. He absorbed. He thought about what Votto did and why. Joey's not going to be telling me what to do. But he's going to speak where you can listen to him and you can see what his thought process is, you see what he works on, Hamilton said. My thought process was one of the biggest things for me, knowing what I want to do, knowing what type of hitter I want to be. Once the thought process was there, the confidence grew. Ironically, Hamilton s confidence grew out of a lack of confidence. Facing the likes of Johnny Cueto and Felix Hernandez, Hamilton said he felt almost defeated before he entered the batter s box. I knew going into the game I had no chance that I was going to hit off Cueto, Hamilton said. I ve played behind him, I've seen him, I've seen him pitch, I know what he can do. I know how good he is. After grounding out in his first at-bat against Cueto at Great American Ballpark on May 2, Hamilton faced him again in the third and hit an RBI double, sparking a six-run rally against the former Reds ace. Later that month, facing Felix Hernandez, Hamilton had two singles in three at-bats against the six-time All-Star. Even though he didn t have the confidence facing those two, it was that lack of confidence and maybe even the absence of pressure of making an out against the two aces that freed him. Instead of worrying about making an out, he was free to make an out, because that s what Cueto and Hernandez do. Hamilton said when Long pointed out his success against those two, something clicked. He d trust his process, trust himself and treat everyone like an ace. Prepare for every pitch, have a plan before he went to the plate and follow through, not allowing anyone to get him out of his game. In short, be like Joey Votto.

5 Every time he went up to bat, he knew what he wanted. If he didn't get that pitch. He didn't have to swing at it, Hamilton said. With me, I'm going up there and I'm thinking I want to do this, but even the ball I said I didn't want to (swing at), I d swing at it. In the second half, I kind of realized that it didn't work for me. The 45 games may be a small sample size, but Hamilton did see an uptick in his walk rate, from 5.7 percent of his plate appearances in the first half and 6.5 percent in his career to 10.7 percent of the time. With the rewards of a more selective approach at the plate (not more patient, he noted), Hamilton thinks he s finding who he needs to be as player and approach that will work for him. And as the second half showed last season, it can work. That knowledge relaxes him, calms him and readies him for another season. He s done the preparation and will continue to do that preparation until the moment he enters the batters box. That s when the pressure, the tension and the thinking can disappear. I never thought about how if you're stressed up here thinking about a bunch of stuff, it spreads all over, he said. I'm relaxed going to the plate, I'm not going to think about anything I know what I want to do before I go in the box. That's what I need. And that s what the Reds need. Game report: Giants walkoff Reds, 6-4 Zach Buchanan, zbuchanan@enquirer.com Published 7:04 p.m. ET Feb. 24, 2017 Updated 14 hours ago SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Cincinnati Reds RHP Kevin Shackelford gave up a two-run walkoff homer to Chris Marrero in the ninth to send the San Francisco Giants to a 6-4 win in both teams Cactus League opener on Friday at Scottsdale Stadium. The Reds entered the bottom of the ninth with a 4-3 lead, but Shackelford gave up a walk and a hit to start the frame and bring Marrero to the plate. THE ARMS RHP Rookie Davis started the game and allowed one run over two innings, striking out two. He was followed by RHP Sal Romano for a pair of scoreless frames. Romano struck out four and walked two, and gave up a hit to Giants 1B Brandon Belt. He got two strikeouts on his fastball, and two on his curveball. I felt my fastball was there, Romano said. I was able to elevate it when I wanted to, and it was down most of the time. Some close pitches down and away. I felt like I executed the pitch pretty well, but it s a big-league strike zone. I ve got to get used to that. LHPs Wandy Peralta and Lucas Luetge each gave up a run in an inning of work, while RHPs Barrett Astin and Alejandro Chacin each pitched a scoreless frame. THE BATS The Reds scored two runs in the first after loading the bases on a double by CF Arismendy Alcantara, a walk by LF Adam Duvall and plunking of DH Jesse Winker. 1B Patrick Kivlehan drove in both runs with a two-out single to left. Cincinnati scored another in the third when 3B Tony Renda smacked a leadoff triple and scored two batters later on a single by 2B Jose Peraza. RF Aristides Aquino drove in a run in the seventh. THE REST Duvall and Peraza each recorded a stolen base. Along with RF Scott Schebler, they were the only players projected to be majorleague regulars who traveled for the game. UP NEXT The Reds will play their first game at Goodyear Stadium of spring on Saturday, although they ll technically be the road team against the Cleveland Indians. LHP Amir Garrett will start, followed by RHPs Lisalverto Bonilla, Austin Brice, Jumbo Diaz and Jackson

6 Stephens. The Indians will throw LHP Ryan Merritt, with LHP Andrew Miller also set to appear. The game will be broadcast live on WLW 700 AM at 3:05 p.m. Eastern. Shoulder soreness forces Dilson Herrera from WBC Zach Buchanan, Published 10:52 a.m. ET Feb. 24, 2017 Updated 15 hours ago GOODYEAR, Ariz. Cincinnati Reds second baseman Dilson Herrera has pulled out of his commitment to Team Colombia and the World Baseball Classic after experiencing right shoulder soreness that will prevent him from throwing for the next several days. He said he first felt the discomfort a week ago. It s very important to work on my shoulder and be ready," Herrera said. "We ve got to do it right. It s right to get ready for the season and stay healthy. Shoulder issues also sidelined Herrera after he was acquired by the Reds at last year's deadline, although he was able to return by the end of the season. He first experienced the problems a year ago, when he was in spring training with the New York Mets. Despite that long history of having the same problem over and over, Herrera is not concerned with his long-term shoulder health. It was a little bit tight," he said. "I ve been working hard on my shoulder so I think I will be alright really soon. Reds manager Bryan Price said Herrera can still hit and take grounders, and that he'll serve as the designated hitter in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear. The 22-year-old won't resume throwing until Monday at the earliest. Price said Herrera had received a battery of tests to determine the underlying issues of the shoulder, but nothing serious was found. He wasn't sure if Herrera had received any kind of anti-inflammatory shot, although it'd be uncommon to take that step in spring training. Earlier in the spring, Price expressed his general wish that young players looking to crack the roster not take development time away from the team to play in the World Baseball Classic, but on Friday emphasized that he'd never ask a player to not honor a commitment to their home country's team. "That's just my general opinion on the WBC," Price said. "I would not bring someone in here and convince them not to represent their country." Bronson Arroyo turns 40, gets sick Zach Buchanan, zbuchanan@enquirer.com Published 3:13 p.m. ET Feb. 24, 2017 Updated 15 hours ago Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo turned 40 years old Friday, but couldn't celebrate it with his teammates after coming down with the flu. He was not at the team facility Friday. Arroyo is in camp on a minor-league deal after missing the last two-and-a-half seasons with arm and shoulder issues. He's hoping to prove his health, and in turn crack the major-league roster in an attempt to resuscitate his career. Bronson Arroyo's 40th birthday plans: Denny's or IHOP If he does, he'll join a small list of Reds players that lasted into 40s. Only 25 Reds have ever played to or beyond their age-40 season, the last three being Arthur Rhodes, Russ Springer and Jim Edmonds. (Playing your age-40 season technically means you had turned 40 by June 30th of that year.) Davis feels good after opening spring play Zach Buchanan, zbuchanan@enquirer.com Published 5:15 p.m. ET Feb. 24, 2017 Updated 15 hours ago SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rookie Davis was trusted to deliver the first pitch of Cactus League play for the Reds on Friday, pitching two innings against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Facing a lineup that featured big-league regulars like Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik, Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence, Davis allowed four hits and one run, striking out two and walking none. Readings on his fastball in the first inning had it sitting between 93 and 95 mph, an uptick compared to his injury-affected velocity in Reading the swings I was getting off guys, it seemed like it played a lot better today, whereas last year I couldn t do the things I did today, Davis said.

7 Davis got a strikeout to end the first inning by blowing high heat past Michael Morse on an 0-2 count. He ended the second with a double-play off a well-placed curveball. A poor curveball hurt him the inning before when Conor Gillaspie blasted a hanging one for a double. But with two on and one out in the second, Davis buried one to Goryks Hernandez for a soft bouncer to third baseman Tony Renda, who tagged the base and threw to first to end the inning. I wanted to throw it with conviction, Davis said of the curve. I threw the breaking ball that he fouled off and was able to read his swing a little bit. I just wanted to go right back to it. It felt good. I felt like I could throw it off of the same plane. WCPO - Channel 9 Health of Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen will determine success of Reds' bullpen John Fay 3:52 PM, Feb 24, :28 PM, Feb 24, 2017 GOODYEAR, Arizona -- The Reds' bullpen came together last year when Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen were moved there. The moves were promoted to keep the players healthy. For the bullpen to be good, Iglesias and Lorenzen have to stay healthy. They are key to Reds manager Bryan Price s multi-inning, closer-by-committee plan. It s a different spring for Iglesias and Lorenzen. Both spent last spring getting ready as starters. Michael Lorenzen excelled when he moved to the bullpen last season. (Jon Durr/Getty Images) Iglesias, a 27-year-old Cuban right-hander, was last year's Opening Day starter, in fact. He went 1-1 with a 3.49 ERA in five starts before going on the disabled list with impingement in his right shoulder. After coming off the disabled list on June 21, he pitched exclusively as a reliever. He had six saves and a 1.98 ERA over 32 games and 50 innings in the bullpen. He spent the offseason making sure the shoulder is sound. I ve been training really hard, working on my shoulder, working on my strength, Iglesias said. Nobody wants to get hurt. You can t control that. I know that. But my preparation has been really good. The relief role probably fits Iglesias better. That s what he did in Cuba before the Reds signed him to a seven-year, $27 million contract. I think it s going to help, he said. I can go three innings and then rest two days instead of going 110 pitches... I think that s going to help me, coming from the bullpen. The Reds were aware Iglesias shoulder needed work, but, as he said, some injuries are unavoidable. We understood the fact that there was a need for an improved range of motion in his shoulder and improved strength, Price said. However, that was offseason when he was focusing on improved range of motion and strength. We couldn t have foreseen that we were going to have the setbacks we had with him. Lorenzen, a 25-year-old right-hander, was destined for the rotation as well until a sore elbow put him on the DL before spring training ended. His rehab was set back by a bout with mono. He didn t make his 2016 debut until June 24, but he was excellent in his new role of relief. He went 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA over 35 games and 50 1/3 innings. He struck out 48 and walked only 13. Lorenzen s background is in relief as well. He was a closer/center fielder at Cal State-Fullerton before the Reds picked him in the first round in Lorenzen is one of the hardest throwers on the team. He s dialing it back a little this year after pushing it last spring. I m easing into spring training, easing into my throwing program, Lorenzen said. Last year, I was little too excited, too excited to throw a ball and come back stronger. This year, I was really slow getting into it.

8 Last year, I made it a goal to come back throwing harder. I started too early in my throwing program because I was so eager to come back. This year, I eased my way into. I feel great. Again, Lorenzen didn t do anything wrong last year. With Michael, I think (the injury) just happened, Price said. You look at (him) and go, What else could he be doing? I don t know if it s working smarter. He s an unbelievable worker. All he wants to do is be outstanding. I think maybe sometimes it s tweaking a program. Lorenzen was one of the first arrivals each day last year. This year, he s getting in a little later. He eats breakfast at home rather than at the ballpark. When he does eat at the park, it s food he brought in. My diet is very strict, he said. It s personal to who I am. I feel great. I feel fresh. My mind feels good. There s no fatigue in the mind, which is easy when you first show up at spring training. After the first week, your mind will fatigue. I ve planned it out where the mind stays fresh, the body stays fresh. It s all come together nicely. Both Lorenzen and Iglesias added velocity after moving to the bullpen. Lorezen s went from an average of 94.0 to 96.2, according to fangraphs.com. Iglesias went from 91.7 to Both are suited for longer stints than most relievers because of their repertoires. Lorenzen throws a slider, curve and cutter. Iglesias throws a slider and changeup. He also changes arm angles. If the Reds can keep them healthy, the bullpen will be infinitely better than last year. Iglesias and Lorenzen have done their part. Now it s up to the baseball gods. I don t think there was anything that needed to change, necessarily, Price said. We fully expect they ll be healthy this year. Fay: Dilson Herrera out with shoulder inury, won't play in World Baseball Classic Herrera is OK to hit John Fay WCPO Contributor 12:34 PM, Feb 24, 2017 GOODYEAR, Ariz. Dilson Herrera will not play in the World Baseball Classic because he s dealing with right shoulder inflammation. Not because Reds manager Bryan Price discouraged him from it. I received some information about some commentary about comments I made earlier in the spring, Price said. They said, 'Price probably nudged him not to play,' and it would not be the case. That's just my general opinion on the WBC. I would not bring someone in here and convince them not to represent their country. He has right shoulder inflammation and has been shut down from throwing for at least the next few days. Herrera, 22, came to the Reds in the Jay Bruce trade with the New York Mets. He s OK to hit. He's not OK to defend and throw, Price said. Until we have that, his shoulder feeling good coming off the end of last year and he had the soreness. It doesn't make any sense to be playing defense in the WBC or for us. At this point, the Reds think rest is all Herrara needs. He's been examined extensively, Price said. I don't think there's any structural damage, there's just inflammation. Price is hopeful that Billy Hamilton s second half in which he hit.293 with.369 on-base percentage with not just a hot steak. I'm optimistic because I think Billy's an athlete and he's driven, Price said. I think he found something last year, I think he really found something in himself and his swing. It wasn't just harder contact, it was better, improved strike zone command. More efficient as a bunter, taking what was given to him. "I'm very optimistic that Billy's going to greatly exceed what we had seen his first two and a half years in the league. I think he's capable of exceeding those numbers, especially from an on-base and batting average perspective. Hamilton s defense will keep him in the lineup unless those offensive numbers go way south.

9 It s the difference maker, Price said. It s why he should be in the lineup if there s stretches of time where he s struggling to hit like anyone would be. The defense in center field is so premium that he needs to be out there to help us. Lordy, lordy, he's 40: Bronson Arroyo turned Friday. If he makes the team, he ll be the first 40-year-old to appear for the Reds since Arthur Rhodes in Arroyo could pass for 39 or younger. Just the way he looks, conditions himself, Price said. The other part is how he assimilates with everybody. There s no strangers with anybody out there. He fits in so well. DAYTON DAILY NEWS 3 reasons to get excited for the start of Reds spring training games Marcus Hartman - Staff Writer 1:58 p.m Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 Today is momentous, and not just because it represents the start of the weekend. The Reds take the field against the Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz., to officially begin Cactus League play for Here are three reasons to get excited about the return of baseball games, exhibitions though they may be: 1. RHP Rookie Davis, LHP Wandy Peralta, RHP Alejandro Chacin, RHP Kevin Shackelford, RHP Sal Romano, RHP Barrett Astin and LHP Lucas Luetge are scheduled to pitch for the Reds against San Francisco. Davis, who was acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade, was 10-5 with a 3.82 ERA in Pensacola and Louisville last season. Peralta (not to be confused with Wandy Rodriguez) is trying to make the club as another lefty reliever. Romano, who shares a name with a fictional character from the TV series Mad Men, went for the Dayton Dragons in Astin and Shackleford were acquired for Jonathan Broxton in late By the end of the weekend, three of the main competitors for the two open slots in the rotation will have made their spring debuts. Lefty Amir Garrett is scheduled to pitch against the Indians on Saturday while Tim Adleman and Robert Stephenson are on the slate for Sunday against the Giants. 3. Jose Peraza is set to lead off game one against the Giants. The likely starting second baseman could ultimately bat second behind Billy Hamilton and give the club not one but two speedsters able to get on base in front of Joey Votto. Also in manager Bryan Price s first lineup of the year are outfielder Jesse Winker, who is the designated hitter, and Arismendy Alcantara, who is in center field. Winker is a 23-year-old taken in the first round of the draft five years ago who may push Scott Schebler for playing time in right field. Alcantara is a 25-year-old utility player picked up off waivers from the Cubs last October. He could be an interesting piece to the puzzle as Price puts his bench together. ESPN.COM Dilson Herrera hampered by shoulder inflammation, won't play in WBC for Colombia 11:31 PM ET Associated Press GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Dilson Herrera has inflammation in his right shoulder and will not throw for a couple days, taking the Colombian infielder out of the World Baseball Classic and hurting his chances for making the Cincinnati Reds.

10 Herrera, who turns 23 next Friday, also experienced shoulder soreness for parts of last season, including during spring training. He said it started bothering him again about a week ago. The Reds acquired Herrera when they traded Jay Bruce to the New York Mets last summer. "I'm OK. Sometimes we've got to be strong, get the mind right so we're ready for everything, so I feel normal," Herrera said. Reds manager Bryan Price said Herrera probably won't throw again until Monday or Tuesday. "He'll DH tomorrow. He's fine to hit," Price said Friday. "But he's not OK to defend and throw. Until we have that, his shoulder feeling good coming off the end of last year where he had the soreness, it doesn't make any sense at all to be playing defense in the WBC or for us." Asked whether Herrera is going to get any tests on his shoulder, Price said: "He's been examined extensively and I don't think there's any structural damage. There's just inflammation." Herrera spent last season in the minors, hitting.274 with 15 homers and 64 RBI in 110 games with Triple-A Las Vegas and Louisville. He is a.215 hitter in 49 career major league games, all with the Mets. TRANSACTIONS 02/24/17 C Austin Rei assigned to Boston Red Sox. C Mike Marjama assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. IF Kean Wong assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. IF Andrew Velazquez assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. OF Jace Conrad assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. RHP Jeff Walters assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. Koda Glover changed number to 30. Baltimore Orioles released LHP T.J. McFarland. OF Kyle Wren assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. 2B Nate Orf assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. SS Mauricio Dubon assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. 1B Garrett Cooper assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. RHP Tyler Spurlin assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. 1B Nick Ramirez assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. RHP Preston Gainey assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. RHP Tim Dillard assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. RHP Tristan Archer assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. C Joe Hudson assigned to Cincinnati Reds. IF Aaron Hill assigned to San Francisco Giants. Atlanta Braves signed free agent OF Sanders Commings to a minor league contract. Washington Nationals placed 1B Jose Marmolejos on the 60-day disabled list. Strained left forearm. Washington Nationals signed free agent C Matt Wieters. RHP Waldis Joaquin assigned to Detroit Tigers. RHP Collin Balester roster status changed by Detroit Tigers. RHP Jake Brigham assigned to Detroit Tigers. RHP Cody Satterwhite assigned to Baltimore Orioles. RHP Stefan Crichton assigned to Baltimore Orioles. RHP Jimmy Yacabonis assigned to Baltimore Orioles. RHP Jefri Hernandez assigned to Baltimore Orioles. OF Cedric Mullins assigned to Baltimore Orioles. OF D.J. Stewart assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 1B Preston Palmeiro assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 2B Garabez Rosa assigned to Baltimore Orioles. SS Adrian Marin assigned to Baltimore Orioles. SS Erick Salcedo assigned to Baltimore Orioles. IF Chris Johnson roster status changed by Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore Orioles invited non-roster IF Chris Johnson to spring training. SS Tzu-Wei Lin assigned to Boston Red Sox. RF Danny Mars assigned to Boston Red Sox.

11 OF Braxton Lee assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. 3B Ryan Court assigned to Boston Red Sox. RHP Trevor Kelley assigned to Boston Red Sox. RHP Taylor Grover assigned to Boston Red Sox. SS Blake Trahan assigned to Cincinnati Reds. 3B Seth Mejias-Brean assigned to Cincinnati Reds. SS Luis Gonzalez assigned to Cincinnati Reds. OF Beau Amaral assigned to Cincinnati Reds. St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent OF Jose Adolis Garcia to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.