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Graham Ashcraft Graham Ashcraft Still getting up to speed Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 3:17 PM Ashcraft indicated Tuesday that he's still not quite 100 percent after having surgery on his right big toe in September, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: Ashcraft noted that the toe is "starting to get better" but it will "take its time to get feeling right." The right-hander fully expects to be ready to go come Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be a little behind other Reds pitchers in camp. Ashcraft posted a 4.76 ERA and 111:52 K:BB across 145.2 innings covering 26 starts in 2023.
Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte Not at full speed yet Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 3:10 PM Marte is not yet running at full speed after suffering a hamstring strain in late November in the Dominican Winter League, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: It sounds like Marte is recovered from his injury, but the Reds are having him ramp things up slowly in camp to be safe. The 22-year-old played a bit at shortstop and second base in addition to third base last season with the Reds, but he'll focus mainly on the hot corner this spring as he attempts to win that job. Marte slashed an impressive .316/.366/.456 in 35 contests for Cincinnati in 2023.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Still battling plantar fasciitis Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 2:53 PM India is going through a ramp-up progression after having a setback with the plantar fasciitis in his left foot this offseason, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: India missed nearly two months of action during the second half of the 2023 season with the injury and it popped back up again over the winter, affecting his offseason workouts. The 27-year-old took batting practice and fielded ground balls Tuesday and the foot "feels fine and he feels no pain," Reds general manager Brad Meador said, adding that India just needs to build up endurance at this point. While it does seem as though he's currently trending in a positive direction, the nagging injury and uncertain playing time outlook for India creates a cloudy fantasy forecast.
Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz Will focus on shortstop this spring Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 2:44 PM Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that De La Cruz will focus on playing shortstop during spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: De La Cruz was used at third base in addition to shortstop during his time with the Reds last season, but the plan is for him to settle in at short this spring and during the regular season. Also worth noting is that the switch hitter has shortened his leg kick from both sides of the plate in hopes that it will help cut down on strikeouts. De La Cruz slashed .235/.300/.410 with 13 home runs, 35 stolen bases and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate over 427 plate appearances with Cincinnati in 2023.
Levi Stoudt Levi Stoudt Exits 40-man roster Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 1:00 PM Stoudt was designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Stoudt really struggled in 2023, posting a 6.23 ERA at Triple-A Louisville and a 9.58 ERA during his brief time with the Reds. The 26-year-old has been a prospect of some significance in the past, so perhaps he'll draw some interest on waivers.
Bubba Thompson Bubba Thompson Back with Cincinnati Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 12:56 PM The Reds claimed Thompson off waivers from the Twins on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Thompson had been claimed by the Reds back in October before being dumped two months after that. He's now found his way back to Cincinnati as he continues his waivers merry-go-round. The speedy outfielder will compete for a reserve role.
Graham Ashcraft Graham Ashcraft Projected for rotation Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 8:35 AM Ashcraft (toe) is projected to be part of the Reds' rotation, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Analysis: Ashcraft, who suffered a toe injury at the end of August, missed the final month of the 2023 season. He underwent surgery in September, but the right-hander was expected to be ready to go by spring training. More should be learned about Ashcraft's status in the coming days. Cincinnati's pitchers and catchers report Tuesday and have their first workout Wednesday.
Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Projected for rotation Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 8:15 AM Lodolo (leg) is projected to be a member of the Reds' rotation, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Analysis: Lodolo was limited to just seven starts in 2023 due to a lower-leg injury and will need to prove he's 100 percent healthy before the Reds hand him the final spot in the rotation. And, there will be no shortage of competitors for the job, as Brandon Williamson, Nick Martinez and Connor Phillips are in the mix. Cincinnati's staff should have the depth to manage any holes in the rotation that typically crop up during the regular season.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand Christian Encarnacion-Strand Projected to start at 1B Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 8:05 AM Encarnacion-Strand is projected to be the Reds' starting first baseman, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Encarnacion-Strand gives Cincinnati pop from the right side of the plate, but the switch-hitting Jeimer Candelario figures to play his fair share there as well and Jonathan India could even enter the mix at the position on occasion. However it all shakes out, the DH spot will allow all three of those capable hitters to potentially be in the lineup together on any given day.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Agrees to two-year contract Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 3:41 PM India signed a two-year, $8.8 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: He can earn an additional $2.05 million in 2025 in incentives. India had been arbitration-eligible for the first time and will have one additional year of control in 2026. The 27-year-old slashed .244/.338/.407 with 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 119 contests for Cincinnati in 2023. India has only played second base to this point in the majors but is expected to be used at multiple positions in 2024.
Josh Harrison Josh Harrison Nets NRI from Cincinnati Mon, Feb 5, 2024, 1:44 PM Harrison's agency announced Monday that he agreed to a minor-league contract with the Reds that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Analysis: Cincinnati doesn't represent the best fit for Harrison from a playing-time perspective, given how flush the Reds are with young infield talent. However, the fact that Harrison is from Cincinnati surely factored into his decision to join his hometown ball club. The 36-year-old slashed just .204/.263/.291 in 40 games with the Phillies in 2023 and also spent a brief time at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization. Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Harrison will make $1.5 million if in the majors and his deal has a March 21 opt-out.
Carson Spiers Carson Spiers Worked on slider in AFL Mon, Feb 5, 2024, 7:33 AM Spiers worked on being more consistent with his slider during 18 innings in the Arizona Fall League, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Spiers added an additional innings in the Fall League after throwing 98 combined innings between the minors and majors in 2023, including stints as a starter and reliever. The right-hander said he pulled his slider while in the majors and was unable to get hitters chase it like minor-league batters. It's unclear in which role the Reds plan for him this spring, but Spiers is part of a big crowd of hurlers looking to stick with the parent club.
Jeimer Candelario Jeimer Candelario Will be everyday player Thu, Jan 25, 2024, 9:19 AM Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Candelario will be an everyday player in 2024, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: "Between DH, first base and third base, he's going to be an everyday player," Bell said of Candelario. The skipper will have plenty of mixing and matching to do with the Reds' abundance of infielders, which is going to lead to extra days off for some. It does not sound like Candelario will be one of those guys sitting with regularity, however. Cincinnati inked Candelario to a three-year, $45 million contract in December.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Could see time at 1B, LF Wed, Jan 24, 2024, 3:23 PM India could see some playing time at first base and/or left field this season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: It's looking like the Reds will hang onto India going into the season rather than trade him to alleviate some of their infield logjam. That would make for a difficult juggling act for manager David Bell as he looks to give everyone playing time, and it sounds like part of the solution could be to break India in at some new positions. To this point, the only position the 27-year-old has played with the Reds has been second base, although he did play plenty at third base and a little at shortstop in the minors.
Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte On track for start of spring Wed, Jan 24, 2024, 8:36 AM Marte (hamstring) is on track to be healthy for the start of spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: Marte strained his hamstring in late November while playing in the Dominican Winter League. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said Wednesday that the injury carries a 6-to-10 week recovery timetable. Marte is roughly eight weeks into that and the start of spring training is three weeks away, so he should be fine. The 22-year-old looks to be in line for an Opening Day assignment at third base for Cincinnati, although there are lots of moving parts in its infield.
Alex Blandino Alex Blandino Attempting move to mound Mon, Jan 22, 2024, 8:29 PM Blandino is attempting to become a pitcher, Fernando Rayo of 8 Deportivo reports. Analysis: Blandino is expected to report to Double-A Chattanooga for the start of the season, as he didn't secure an invitation to big-league spring training when inking his MiLB deal in November. He's appeared in five major-league contests as a pitcher and has featured a knuckleball during his brief experience on the bump.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Heading to arbitration Sun, Jan 21, 2024, 1:02 PM India is the one arbitration-eligible player that the Reds couldn't come to terms with before filing, and the two parties will likely go to a hearing, as the Reds are a "file-and-trial" team, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: India filed for $4.0 million and the Reds filed at $3.2 million, so the two parties are not especially close. India faces a critical season -- this is the first year he's arbitration-eligible and has to compete with the likes of Jeimer Candelario, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand for playing time. Some trade rumors regarding India have popped up from time to time, but nothing concrete has emerged. India has missed good chunks of time due to injury the last two seasons, and he hasn't come close to replicating his rookie year production (.269/.376/.459) over the last two campaigns.
Tyler Gilbert Tyler Gilbert Inks NRI deal with Reds Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 10:55 AM Gilbert signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: Gilbert, 30, pitched 17.1 relief innings with the Diamondbacks in 2023, posting a 5.19 ERA but a 19:5 K:BB. The left-hander is capable of starting or relieving and it's not clear which role the Reds have planned for him. In either case, he's likely headed to Triple-A Louisville for the start of the 2024 season.
Daniel Duarte Daniel Duarte Designated for assignment Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 11:54 AM The Reds designated Duarte (shoulder) for assignment Saturday. Analysis: With the signing of Brent Suter becoming official Saturday, Duarte will be pushed off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 27-year-old righty posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 31.2 innings last season and could be an attractive waiver option for other clubs in search of bullpen help.
Tejay Antone Tejay Antone Avoids arbitration Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 3:45 PM Antone (elbow) signed a one-year, $830,000 contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: Tommy John surgery kept Antone sidelined last season until the beginning of September, and right elbow tendinitis ended his season after just five appearances. Antone looked good when he was able to play, surrendering one run in 5.2 innings while striking out seven batters, but a larger sample size is required before judging the 30-year-old righty.