Edwin Encarnacion had an MRI on his aching right shoulder. It revealed nothing more than a little inflamation, yet manager Dusty Baker is going to give him another day.
He was expected to play against the New York Yankees on Friday.
"He is going to swing (the bat) today," Baker said. "I doubt if he'll play Friday. I have to see him throw first."
"It is important to start the season healthy. That's our goal. Time is getting short," Baker said.
Jerry Hairston Jr. and Brandon Phillips are in the lineup against the Minnesota Twins for the 7:05 pm start on Thursday.
Both have been fighting the flu.
Hairston led off every inning of a minor league game on Wednesday to get some at bats. He will start at shortstop against Minnesota.
Phillips will bat cleanup. He missed four games.
Homer Bailey, who is battling Micah Owings for the fifth rotation spot, pitched in a minor league game on Thursday afternoon. Owings will pitch against the Twins.
"Homer looked pretty good. He had trouble getting his secondary pitches over today. He was out of sync a little bit," Baker said.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Phillips and Encarnacion Due Back Friday
Edwin Encarnacion, who is out with a sore shoulder, and Brandon Phillips, who had the flu will be back on Friday.
Jerry Hairston Jr. lost 12 pounds with the flu while playing for the Mexican WBC team. Hairston is leading off every inning in a minor league game to get his stroke back. He will also be ready to play in games on Friday.
Jerry Hairston Jr. lost 12 pounds with the flu while playing for the Mexican WBC team. Hairston is leading off every inning in a minor league game to get his stroke back. He will also be ready to play in games on Friday.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Gonzalez Hurt Again
SS Alex Gonzalez, who was described as smooth by Dusty Baker, left the game with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday with a strained right hamstring after beating out an infield hit.
Gonzalez missed the entire spring and regular season last year with a compression fracture in his left knee. The Reds were moving slowly with the key to the roster. His presence or lack thereof will have a profound effect on the roster.
In addition to making plays that few other shortsops can make in the field, Gonzalez has hit well enough. He hit an infield single to short in the second inning to raise his average to .250 (6-24) with two doubles.
"He looks good doesn't he?" Baker said Sunday. "He wanted to play nine innings Saturday but we told him, not yet. He has been running. His baseball instincts are there. It is a good sign that he wanted to play nine. It is also a good sign that he's been taking the extra base. When you don't feel good, you don't run."
There was no defect in the muscle but Gonzalez went to Miami to consult his personal therapist.
"It was what I was afraid of," Baker said. "I had a knee injury and when I was recovering I favored it. I ended up tearing the hamstring in my other leg. This isn't as serious. He didn't grab it. I'm glad he stopped running though."
"I saw the shortstop dive for the ball so I tried to get an extra step. That's when it grabbed me." Gonzalez said.
He is day-to-day.
Gonzalez missed the entire spring and regular season last year with a compression fracture in his left knee. The Reds were moving slowly with the key to the roster. His presence or lack thereof will have a profound effect on the roster.
In addition to making plays that few other shortsops can make in the field, Gonzalez has hit well enough. He hit an infield single to short in the second inning to raise his average to .250 (6-24) with two doubles.
"He looks good doesn't he?" Baker said Sunday. "He wanted to play nine innings Saturday but we told him, not yet. He has been running. His baseball instincts are there. It is a good sign that he wanted to play nine. It is also a good sign that he's been taking the extra base. When you don't feel good, you don't run."
There was no defect in the muscle but Gonzalez went to Miami to consult his personal therapist.
"It was what I was afraid of," Baker said. "I had a knee injury and when I was recovering I favored it. I ended up tearing the hamstring in my other leg. This isn't as serious. He didn't grab it. I'm glad he stopped running though."
"I saw the shortstop dive for the ball so I tried to get an extra step. That's when it grabbed me." Gonzalez said.
He is day-to-day.
The Reds Are Whole
A couple Ramon's showed up in Sarasota from the World Baseball Classic.
Venezuelan participants, RHP Ramirez and Catcher Hernandez came back.
Hernandez will catch again Wednesday.
The concern was that he wouldn't have enough time to catch the pitching staff.
Bronson Arroyo openly rooted for Venzuela to lose so that Hernandez could become familiar with his unorthodox pitching methods.
Heranandez is not concerned.
"It is just communication," Hernandez said. 'You've got to talk to them."
"The WBC had a playoff atmosphere. Now I'm back and it's time for us to get ready and try to make the postseason," Hernandez said.
Jerry Hairston Jr. is not in the lineup today but he is also back from the WBC. He lost 10-15 pounds from a virul infection.
Baker is anxious to get him ready.
Venezuelan participants, RHP Ramirez and Catcher Hernandez came back.
Hernandez will catch again Wednesday.
The concern was that he wouldn't have enough time to catch the pitching staff.
Bronson Arroyo openly rooted for Venzuela to lose so that Hernandez could become familiar with his unorthodox pitching methods.
Heranandez is not concerned.
"It is just communication," Hernandez said. 'You've got to talk to them."
"The WBC had a playoff atmosphere. Now I'm back and it's time for us to get ready and try to make the postseason," Hernandez said.
Jerry Hairston Jr. is not in the lineup today but he is also back from the WBC. He lost 10-15 pounds from a virul infection.
Baker is anxious to get him ready.
Fifth Starter Loses One Candidate
To no one's surprise, Nick Masset, pitched his way to the bullpen. He had one good start but his other outings were mediocre at best.
Masset does not have the track record that would give him a pass for bad outings. Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo have the track record so their spring games are all about getting ready and not about results.
Masset has a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 Grapefruit League innings. While Arroyo's is not that much better at 6.00 in 15 innings and Harang's is 5.03 in 19 innings, the rookie needed to impress. He did not.
That leaves Micah Owings and Homer Bailey as the combatants vying for that all important fifth starters spot. The Reds got very little production from that end of the rotation last season.
Masset does not have options left. If the Reds want to send him to the minor leagues, they have to expose him to waivers. Another team could claim him.
Bailey has options. In another ERA teams would break in a starter by having them pitch in long relief first. Dusty Baker has pointed out that the likes of Pedro Martinez, Nolan Ryan, Bob Welch and Dave Stewart, earned starting jobs by first pitching in long relief.
Baseball economics have changed. It gives Masset and edge over Bailey in spite of the fact that Bailey's performance has been better. Compare Bailey's 2.45 ERA over 14.2 innings to Masset's.
Bailey has been so much better. Yet he may start the season in Louisville, while Masset will likely come to Cincinnati.
Owings is a lock either way even with options left.
The big guy is one of the best hitters on the team, bar none.
In 116 major league at bats he has 37 hits (.319). It is not a soft .319 either with 10 doubles, a triple and five home runs.
Owings has also pitched well enough to win the fifth starter spot. He has a 1.23 ERA in 14.2 innings.
Masset does not have the track record that would give him a pass for bad outings. Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo have the track record so their spring games are all about getting ready and not about results.
Masset has a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 Grapefruit League innings. While Arroyo's is not that much better at 6.00 in 15 innings and Harang's is 5.03 in 19 innings, the rookie needed to impress. He did not.
That leaves Micah Owings and Homer Bailey as the combatants vying for that all important fifth starters spot. The Reds got very little production from that end of the rotation last season.
Masset does not have options left. If the Reds want to send him to the minor leagues, they have to expose him to waivers. Another team could claim him.
Bailey has options. In another ERA teams would break in a starter by having them pitch in long relief first. Dusty Baker has pointed out that the likes of Pedro Martinez, Nolan Ryan, Bob Welch and Dave Stewart, earned starting jobs by first pitching in long relief.
Baseball economics have changed. It gives Masset and edge over Bailey in spite of the fact that Bailey's performance has been better. Compare Bailey's 2.45 ERA over 14.2 innings to Masset's.
Bailey has been so much better. Yet he may start the season in Louisville, while Masset will likely come to Cincinnati.
Owings is a lock either way even with options left.
The big guy is one of the best hitters on the team, bar none.
In 116 major league at bats he has 37 hits (.319). It is not a soft .319 either with 10 doubles, a triple and five home runs.
Owings has also pitched well enough to win the fifth starter spot. He has a 1.23 ERA in 14.2 innings.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hairston Back Harang Back on Track
Jerry Hairston Jr. reported to camp from the Mexican WBC team.
"It looks like he's lost 10-15 pounds," manager Dusty Baker said.
Hairston had a virul infection and Baker insisted he stay away from the team until Friday or until healthy again. Baker was taking precautions that that the flu would not infect the rest of the players.
Still Norris Hopper missed his third day with bronchitis and Brandon Phillips was sent home Saturday with flu-like symptoms.
"We will work Hairston out the next couple of days," Baker said. "We need to work him out in the outfield some and at shortstop in case Gonzo can't go."
Aaron Harang has been beaten and battered this spring. There are two schools of thought about the meaning of spring training results. When a veteran pitcher struggles, he gets a pass because he has done the job before. The other is that spring training results are important but more so for a Homer Bailey and Micah Owings, who are competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Two years ago when Harang had an awful spring, he led the team with 16 wins during the regular season. Last spring he was effective in Florida but suffered through a 17-loss season.
One of his problems early last year was an acute lack of run support.
On Sunday Harang was given five runs to work with against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ian Snell. He seemed to like it, cruising through the Bucs lineup. Harang has allowed 11 runs in 13 2/3 Grapefruit League innings.
Harang out hit the Pirates in his six innings. He allowed no hits and just two walks.
"I was working on my change up and slider. I was throwing it in counts that I don't usually throw them in. I kept it down and kept them off balance. It feels good to know that I can use them in any count," Harang said.
"He was sharp. That was as good an outing as I've seen in awhile," Baker said. "It feels good to win one. Harang threw some great breaking balls."
The Reds stopped a seven game losing streak with a 6-0 win.
Johnny Gomes hit his fourth home run off Ian Snell.
Harang has already been named the Opening Day starter for the fourth straight year. He is the first to start four straight seasons on the mound since, 1992-95 when Jose Rijo did it.
"It looks like he's lost 10-15 pounds," manager Dusty Baker said.
Hairston had a virul infection and Baker insisted he stay away from the team until Friday or until healthy again. Baker was taking precautions that that the flu would not infect the rest of the players.
Still Norris Hopper missed his third day with bronchitis and Brandon Phillips was sent home Saturday with flu-like symptoms.
"We will work Hairston out the next couple of days," Baker said. "We need to work him out in the outfield some and at shortstop in case Gonzo can't go."
Aaron Harang has been beaten and battered this spring. There are two schools of thought about the meaning of spring training results. When a veteran pitcher struggles, he gets a pass because he has done the job before. The other is that spring training results are important but more so for a Homer Bailey and Micah Owings, who are competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Two years ago when Harang had an awful spring, he led the team with 16 wins during the regular season. Last spring he was effective in Florida but suffered through a 17-loss season.
One of his problems early last year was an acute lack of run support.
On Sunday Harang was given five runs to work with against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ian Snell. He seemed to like it, cruising through the Bucs lineup. Harang has allowed 11 runs in 13 2/3 Grapefruit League innings.
Harang out hit the Pirates in his six innings. He allowed no hits and just two walks.
"I was working on my change up and slider. I was throwing it in counts that I don't usually throw them in. I kept it down and kept them off balance. It feels good to know that I can use them in any count," Harang said.
"He was sharp. That was as good an outing as I've seen in awhile," Baker said. "It feels good to win one. Harang threw some great breaking balls."
The Reds stopped a seven game losing streak with a 6-0 win.
Johnny Gomes hit his fourth home run off Ian Snell.
Harang has already been named the Opening Day starter for the fourth straight year. He is the first to start four straight seasons on the mound since, 1992-95 when Jose Rijo did it.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Astros Win...Astros Win
The Houston Astros won its first Grapefruit League game since they stunned Washington on February 25. They outscored Panama 7-5 but that game isn't counted in the "official" standings in the Citrus Loop.
Houston was 1-16-3 coming into the game with the Reds on Friday.
Johnny Cueto pitched well but allowed four straight hits in the second inning to send the Reds to its sixth straight defeat.
"He had good location and good movement," Dusty Baker said. "The only hit two balls hard off him."
With two outs in the second, Geoff Blum lined a single to leftfield. Reggie Abercrombie beat out a bad hop single to third. Adam "Pete" Rosales used all 6'2" to spear the ball but had no chance at the speedy Abercrombie. Humberto Quintero dumped a single to short right and Houston pitcher Russ Ortiz applied bat to ball and laced a flair to center for the second run.
"We hit some balls hard again but couldn't find any holes," Baker said.
Until the ninth the Reds had two singles from Laynce Nix and a double to the bullpen by Wilkin Castillo. Castillo's ground rule double ended up in the bucket of balls in the Reds bullpen. Once time was called some wisenheimer threw out four baseballs out on the field.
Houston manager Cecil Cooper took this game seriously.
After Lance Berkman hit a two-run home run down the right field line in the sixth, Houston led 4-0.
Darryl Ward, burned his former team with a two-run double off Bud Norris, scoring Darnel McDonald and Sean Cumberland.
Cooper went to Jeff Fulchino to get the final two outs and the Astros claimed its second win.
Norris Hopper was supposed to start in place of McDonald but came down with a case of bronchitis.
Houston was 1-16-3 coming into the game with the Reds on Friday.
Johnny Cueto pitched well but allowed four straight hits in the second inning to send the Reds to its sixth straight defeat.
"He had good location and good movement," Dusty Baker said. "The only hit two balls hard off him."
With two outs in the second, Geoff Blum lined a single to leftfield. Reggie Abercrombie beat out a bad hop single to third. Adam "Pete" Rosales used all 6'2" to spear the ball but had no chance at the speedy Abercrombie. Humberto Quintero dumped a single to short right and Houston pitcher Russ Ortiz applied bat to ball and laced a flair to center for the second run.
"We hit some balls hard again but couldn't find any holes," Baker said.
Until the ninth the Reds had two singles from Laynce Nix and a double to the bullpen by Wilkin Castillo. Castillo's ground rule double ended up in the bucket of balls in the Reds bullpen. Once time was called some wisenheimer threw out four baseballs out on the field.
Houston manager Cecil Cooper took this game seriously.
After Lance Berkman hit a two-run home run down the right field line in the sixth, Houston led 4-0.
Darryl Ward, burned his former team with a two-run double off Bud Norris, scoring Darnel McDonald and Sean Cumberland.
Cooper went to Jeff Fulchino to get the final two outs and the Astros claimed its second win.
Norris Hopper was supposed to start in place of McDonald but came down with a case of bronchitis.
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