Hoping Day: On Afternoon Cardinals, Reds Were Supposed To Open, Baseball Remains Closed

On the same day the Cardinals’ 129th season in the National League was set to start with the traditional opening-day pomp in Cincinnati, the leadoff hitter who would have seen that first pitch of 2020 instead will go to the nearest ballpark and do one thing before anything else.

Post-Dispatch

Derek Dietrich Healthy, Set To Battle For Bench Spot

Derek Dietrich went into the Reds' clubhouse on Sunday morning with a bandage covering a nasty bruise on his left wrist. That was initially odd, considering Dietrich left Saturday’s game against the Padres after being hit on the right arm with a pitch.

Cincinnati Official Site

Trevor Bauer Plans To Prioritize A Unique Idea When He Reaches Free Agency

When Trevor Bauer becomes a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, he has a unique idea that he wants teams to consider:

USA Today

Nick Castellanos Honing Outfield Skills In Reds' Camp

During Spring Training, Reds manager David Bell is experimenting with some of his outfielders by having them play in a different spot than they’re used to. But that likely won’t be the plan for Nick Castellanos who is expected to remain in right field.

Cincinnati Official Site

Shogo Akiyama A Hit In First Game With Reds

Outfielder Shogo Akiyama is 31 years old with nine years of experience at baseball’s top professional level in Japan. But that didn’t prevent him from having butterflies ahead of his first Major League exhibition game on Sunday.

Cincinnati Official Site

Joey Votto Likely To Bat Second, Which Suits Him

Reds manager David Bell remains noncommittal about his likely regular-season lineup. After a season in which Cincinnati struggled to get on base, Bell and the club will have an added focus on the top portion of the order.

Cincinnati Official Site

Shogo Akiyama Bringing Fresh Approach To Reds Camp

As new Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama took his swings in batting practice on Tuesday, each ball that was struck by the lefty hitter generally stayed either to the middle or left side of the field. No hits were pulled into right field.

Cincinnati Official Site

The Reds Are Doing A Lot. The Cardinals Are Doing Little. Who's Doing It Right?

With the signing of corner outfielder Nick Castellanos, the Cincinnati Reds have spent $164 million on free-agent contacts this winter:

101 ESPN

Bolstered Reds Lineup Could Do Serious Damage To Quiet NL Central

The Cardinals spent last season stifling runs far better than they scored them, counter-attacking their way to the National League Championship Series with a defense-first philosophy they aim to sustain.

BenFred

Softer Landing? Retreating NL Central Takes Pressure Off Cardinals

When questioned about the confidence the Cardinals seem to have in an underperforming lineup’s potential to improve from within despite the likely departure of a cleanup hitter, the team’s decision-makers cite a variety of reasons.

BenFred

Short Work: Versatile, Agile Tommy Edman Set For Work At Shortstop To Spell Paul DeJong; Cardinals Still Interested In Marcell Ozuna; MLB Joins Stephen Piscotty's Cause; Reds Alert; Extra Bases

When the Cardinals consider how rookie Tommy Edman fits regularly into their lineup for 2020 and how they can find starts for him, they don’t feel compelled to clear one position especially for him.

Post-Dispatch

Reds Interested In Madison Bumgarner

Jon Heyman Twitter

Robust Rotation, Cutting-Edge Pitching Approach Has Reds Rising As Central Threat

With front office execs from almost all of the 29 other clubs and definitely one from each of his National League Central rivals gathered in the same ballroom this past week, Cincinnati president of baseball operations Dick Williams surveyed the group and grinned as he considered the Reds’ position entering this offseason.

Post-Dispatch

Jacob DeGrom Throws Gem To Keep Wild Hopes Alive

Jacob deGrom didn’t feel great in the bullpen prior to his start on Friday night at Great American Ball Park, but he admitted that is not unusual for him this season.

New York-N Official Site

Sonny Gray Passes Nolan Ryan For MLB Record

When the Reds acquired Sonny Gray last offseason from the Yankees and subsequently gave him a three-year, $30.5 million extension, they were confident that the former Oakland ace could not only be effective, but that he could get back to being dominant.

Cincinnati Official Site

Joey Votto Scratched Due To Lower Back Tightness

About 90 minutes before the Reds opened a four-game series vs. the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, first baseman Joey Votto was scratched from the lineup with lower back tightness.

Cincinnati Official Site

Yasiel Puig, David Bell, Clint Hurdle, Others Receive Suspensions

Mark Feinsand Twitter

Clint Hurdle Defends Pirates Day After Fracas

In the hours between Tuesday’s brawl-interrupted win over the Reds and Wednesday’s series finale at Great American Ball Park, players popped into Pirates manager Clint Hurdle’s office to give their support. Hurdle offered a sincere thank you to hitting coach Rick Eckstein, who defended him during the fracas. He spoke to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington about the day's Trade Deadline and potential fallout from the fight. Hurdle also called Joe Torre, Major League Baseball's chief baseball officer, to discuss what happened.

Pittsburgh Official Site

Jose Iglesias' Slam Punctuates Ten-Run Inning

When the Reds were hitting poorly throughout the first half of the season, the front office thought about adding offense before the Trade Deadline. Even if the Reds remains buyers going into the 4 p.m. ET Deadline on Wednesday, their offensive issues might already be solved.

Cincinnati Official Site

Futiliy Of Reds, Pirates Puts Cardinals 'Struggle' In Perspective

Year after year, the Cardinals have remained in the playoff chase. Year after year, the Reds and Pirates have not.

Gordo