Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings March 27, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1993-The Reds trade Chris Hammond to the Marlins for Hector Carrasco and Gary Scott MLB.COM Mesoraco not expected to be on Opening Day roster Club waiting for catcher to build up workload so he can play back-to-back games By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | March 26th, 2017 + 93 COMMENTS GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Working his way back from left shoulder and right hip surgeries last year, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been free of setbacks or issues throughout Spring Training. The only thing Mesoraco is lacking, really, is time. Mesoraco isn't expected to be on the Opening Day roster after camp breaks because he hasn't built up enough of a catching workload yet. "I'd just say it's unlikely," Reds manager Bryan Price said on Sunday. "We can't rehabilitate him [in the Majors]. We tried to have scheduled off-days for him last year. For me, we're better served with him being 100 percent and saying if he needs to catch three days in a row, he catches three days in a row. If we say we want him to go every other day, you can't do that. "Let's say every other day he catches one day and [Tucker] Barnhart takes a foul tip off his thumb and needs a couple of days. Devin's got to be the guy that plays. It's unfair to him for us to activate him before he's ready to handle the workload." Mesoraco, 28, has been limited to 39 games over the last two seasons -- including 18 behind the plate. His left hip underwent an operation in 2015. All three surgical procedures he had involved repairing the labrum. "Honestly, nobody has discussed anything with me," Mesoraco said. "But I don't think it's an extended, super-long period of time. Today, I'm supposed to play six or seven innings. I know they want me to go back-to-back [games]. I don't feel, physically, that would be an issue. I just have to get out there and do it." Before Mesoraco is deemed ready, Price would like to see him catch nine innings on back-to-back days. "With Devin, it's a process of getting him back to full in-season shape," Price said. "I'm not implying that he came here out of shape. He's just not built up to take on the workload." Mesoraco, who is making $20.45 million over the final two years of his four-year contract, was expected to split time evenly with Barnhart in the early part of the season. With the introduction of the 10-day disabled list this season, it's possible that Mesoraco won't miss too much time once he's ready. But roster constraints create a tough decision about whom the Reds select as Barnhart's backup in the interim. Stuart Turner is a Rule 5 selection who could be subject to returning to the Twins if he's not on Cincinnati's 25-man roster all season. Rob Brantly is a non-roster invitee. "I'd be happy with either one of those guys," Price said. "I think they're both big league guys and I think they both can help our team. The challenge is, we could lose them both. If Turner doesn't make the club and we take Brantly, he's out of options. When Devin comes back, we risk losing [Brantly] on a claim." Mesoraco has felt more explosive moving behind the plate after the hip surgeries. His shoulder has not affected him when trying to hit. "The shoulder has gotten much better here the last couple of weeks," he said. "At this point, I don't even have to think about it. It feels really good. I'm happy with everything that we're doing. I'm trying to keep the ball rolling." Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Winker homers, Reds can't keep Cubs in park By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | @CarrieMuskat | March 26th, 2017 + 20 COMMENTS LAS VEGAS -- Anthony Rizzo hit a home run on the first pitch he saw and Albert Almora Jr. smacked a pair of homers and an RBI double to finish with five RBIs and power the Cubs to a 22-4 victory on Sunday over the Reds in a split-squad game for both teams at Cashman Field. Cubs prospect Bijan Rademacher added a grand slam in an eight-run sixth, and Victor Caratini drove in three runs for the game. Charcer Burks hit Chicago's fifth homer of the game, a three-run shot in the eighth, and Yasiel Balaguert capped the Cubs' scoring with a two-run double in the ninth. The Cubs sent 11 batters to the plate in the first against Tim Adleman. Rizzo, who lobbied to lead off to get more at-bats, justified the switch and launched the first pitch from Adleman over the right-field wall for his third spring homer. Kris Bryant doubled to right, Kyle Schwarber walked and Almora followed with a three-run homer for a 4-0 lead. One out later, Chesny Young and Caratini hit back-to-back doubles to put the Cubs ahead, 5-0. Pitcher Eddie Butler added an RBI single. Adleman, who is in contention for either the Reds' rotation or the bullpen, settled down and did not give up another hit over the next 2 1/3 innings. Jesse Winker led off the Reds' second with a home run, one of seven hits off Butler, who will likely open the season at Triple-A Iowa. Winker also doubled to lead off the fourth and reached third on a groundout. Winker tried to score on Phillip Ervin's fly ball to right, but third-base umpire Dana DeMuth ruled Winker left third base early. Chicago added three more runs in the fourth against Nick Routt on an RBI double by Almora, an RBI single by Tommy La Stella and an RBI double by Caratini. For Butler, this may have been his last chance to impress the Cubs. "I've been able to throw a lot of strikes and let the guys play behind me and they've been putting up runs every time I'm out there," said the right-hander, who threw his curveball more on Sunday to work on it. The Reds' Joey Votto did get two singles off Butler, who wasn't surprised. "He's a tough out," Butler said of the Reds' first baseman. "He has one of the best two-strike approaches. He shortens down, gets on top of the plate and he's just battling. Today, he flicked a couple balls to left field and got a couple knocks off me." Butler is projected to open the season at Triple-A Iowa. "I understand there's business behind it," Butler said. "I'm trying to make that decision as hard as I can. If I end up down there, I'll do everything I can to be back up as quick as possible. I'll go out and dominate as much as I can and show them I should've made the team out of spring." Schwarber was lifted for a pinch-runner in the first. He had played Friday and Saturday and just wanted one at-bat on Sunday. This spring, he's played back-to-back games and gotten the third off as he comes back from knee surgery last April. Reds Up Next: Following two days of split-squad games, the Reds will be one bunch again Monday when facing the Giants at 4:05 p.m. ET in Scottsdale, Ariz. Cody Reed will get his last opportunity to make a bid for the rotation. The left-handed Reed has a 3.24 ERA through his five games, including three starts. Cubs Up Next: Opening Day starter Jon Lester will have his final tuneup on Monday when the Cubs face the Indians in a night game in Goodyear, Ariz. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. CT. This will be Lester's third Cactus League start -- he's made two starts in Minor League games, as well. Lester faced the Tribe three times in the 2016 World Series, including three innings in relief in Game 7. Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV. Carrie Muskat has covered the Cubs since 1987, and for MLB.com since 2001. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings. You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat and listen to her podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Peraza stays hot in loss to Mariners By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | March 26th, 2017 + 4 COMMENTS GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Scoring twice in the top of the eighth inning, the Mariners emerged with a 7-6 victory over the Reds on Sunday at Goodyear Ballpark. It was a 5-5 game in the eighth when Reds Minor League camp pitcher Lucas Benenati began the inning by allowing back-to-back hits that led to Carlos Ruiz's sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run. Ian Miller chipped in a RBI single to add a second run. Chad Wallach got the Reds close with a home run in the ninth inning.