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Press Clippings March 19, 2016

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 2014 - A Cactus League game between the Reds and Royals is abruptly stopped in the 6th when Reds closer is struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Salvador Perez. Chapman is taken off the field on a stretcher, with fractures above his eye and in his nose, as well as multiple lacerations.The two managers then elect not to continue play, with the blessing of home plate Chris Guccione.

MLB.COM

Adam Duvall, Tyler Holt bookend Reds' win By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | @AdamMcCalvy | March 18th, 2016 + 166 COMMENTS

PHOENIX -- Adam Duvall had three hits for the Reds, including a long, two- , and Chris Carter hit his third homer for the Brewers as the teams battled back and forth Friday at Maryvale Baseball Park. The Reds ultimately prevailed, 7-6.

Carter hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a tying triple in the fifth and Rymer Liriano lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the sixth as part of a middle-inning comeback for the Brewers, who had won four of their previous five games.

But the Reds quickly tied the game at 5 in the seventh inning on Jake Cave's two-out single.

Duvall, a candidate for Cincinnati's left field vacancy who manned third base in this game, homered to cap the Reds' three-run first inning. also delivered an RBI single in the inning, but all three runs were unearned against Brewers starter because of an error charged to left fielder Ryan Braun.

"He was really locked in today," Reds manager said of Duvall. "That's one of the components that makes him so attractive to make our ballclub. It's a combination of the power with the ability he's shown this year, to not just pull, but he's done a nice job of shooting some balls to right field and right-center.

"Then, getting another day over there at third base, I think, builds more confidence [in], I'm sure, his own ability to play the position, but also ours, in his ability to play the position, with flexibility being the key for our roster."

Playing his second Cactus League game, Braun dropped a fly ball at the warning track in left-center field to extend the inning. Braun reclaimed one of those runs with an RBI amid Milwaukee's two-run rally in the bottom of the first inning.

Jay Bruce also drove in a run to support Reds starter -- and potential -- Anthony DeSclafani, who was staked to leads of 3-0 and 4-2 before receiving a no-decision. He was charged with four earned runs on six hits in 4 2/3 , with one walk and seven .

Anderson was charged with four runs (one earned) on seven hits in four innings, and he has surrendered 12 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings this spring. Left-hander Franklin Morales made his Brewers debut in the fifth inning and worked around a two-out walk and a single in a scoreless frame.

Up next for the Reds: Raisel Iglesias will be making his second start of spring as he tries to catch up and get ready for the regular season when the Reds travel to Mesa to meet the A's on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET on Gameday Audio. Billy Hamilton, Jose Peraza and Eugenio Suarez will also be on the trip for Cincinnati.

Up next for the Brewers: Scooter Gennett is scheduled to get his first spring reps at second base when the Brewers travel to Tempe on Saturday to play the Angels at 3:10 p.m. CT on MLB.TV. Gennett, slowed by a sore throwing shoulder this spring, debuted as the Brewers' designated hitter on Thursday night and singled, doubled and homered in three plate appearances. He'll man second behind Brewers starter Wily Peralta.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamMcCalvy, like him on Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of or its clubs.

Hamilton focused on 'getting more at-bats' Post-surgery, center fielder confident he'll be ready for Opening Day By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | March 18th, 2016 + 5 COMMENTS

PHOENIX -- Following a setback to his surgically repaired right shoulder, Billy Hamilton waited most of to get his chance to play center field again for the Reds. When it finally came on Friday vs. the Brewers, it wasn't action-packed, but it was still satisfying.

Hamilton fielded one base hit in the first inning and caught a routine fly ball in the third in Cincinnati's 7-6 win over Milwaukee. His stint in the game spanned five innings total, and he went 0-for-3 at the plate.

"I didn't really get tested today out there where I can throw the ball really, really hard," Hamilton said. "But when I've been throwing and warming up and everything, my arm has been feeling really good."

Upon having arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder in September, Hamilton knew he likely wouldn't be 100 percent by the start of camp, but he arrived close. Then he suffered a setback when he felt sore following his March 2 spring debut as the designated hitter. Hamilton did not return to the lineup again until Tuesday, when he was used again at DH.

"It's fun being out there to run around the outfield and get back to being used to it. I felt like I hadn't been out there in forever," he said. "Today was one of those days you always look forward to, especially when you're coming off of an injury. You look forward to the day you can get back out there and able to be in action with your team, not just DH, but actually be out there and with them. Today was a good day for me. I wish I could have gotten more balls and test my arm out a little more."

The Reds have been fortunate to get some of their key players back from injuries. In the past week, shortstop Zack Cozart (knee) and (hip) both made their spring debuts following 2015 surgeries. They are expected to be ready for Opening Day on April 4 vs. the Phillies.

Hamilton, who has been working on his shoulder with the training and strength staff all spring, felt he would also have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

"There's always room to go down and get more at-bats," Hamilton said. "That's all that I'm really worried about right now, just getting more at-bats. I can go to the Minor Leagues and get a few hits and here get a few at-bats. Making sure my arm is healthy is the main thing. I look forward to the next couple of weeks."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, 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, Stephenson among eight players moved By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | March 18th, 2016 + 97 COMMENTS

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The latest wave of Reds Spring Training cuts that sent out eight players didn't just feature their top two prospects in and Robert Stephenson -- it also provided more clarity to some of the battles for open spots.

There are now 44 players left in camp. Of course, the roster needs to be at 25 players before Opening Day vs. the Phillies on April 4. Winker was re-assigned to Minor League camp, along with relievers Zack Weiss and Timothy Adleman and catcher Joe Hudson. Stephenson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville with pitcher Stephen Johnson and outfielder Kyle Waldrop.

Left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, signed as a free agent to a Minor League deal shortly before Spring Training, was released.

Winker, 22, was 5-for-15 (.333) in seven games. The No. 1 prospect in the organization, according to MLBPipeline.com, has been dealing with a left hip flexor strain after an outfield collision last week. Winker came to camp hoping to compete for the vacancy in left field, but he was viewed as a long shot behind more experienced players like Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler and Yorman Rodriguez. Tyler Holt and Rule 5 pick Jake Cave are also in the mix.

Most likely, Winker will begin the 2016 season in Louisville.

"He was better than the league [at Double-A] in the second half, where he struggled in the first half," Reds manager Bryan Price said.

Stephenson, ranked as the No. 2 prospect, pitched well in his first two starts but was not as sharp in his last one. On Thursday vs. the Indians, he allowed six runs (five earned) and six hits over 2 1/3 innings.

For Stephenson to get on the short list of candidates for a promotion during the season, Price would like to see him demonstrate better command.

"The games that were the most impressive -- against Cleveland in the 'B' game and the game against the Cubs in Mesa --- was the fact he was able to command the fastball down in the zone," Price said. "[Thursday] it was back up a bit, and he paid the price. He's got three above-average Major League pitches. The command of those three pitches will dictate when he gets to the big leagues.

"I'd be really disappointed if I didn't see him back here this year, not just as a September callup. It could be as a or as a starter, it wouldn't matter. Wherever he fits in best … he's got to be better than the league. It can't just be about potential. It has to be about how he plays."

The rotation locks are Anthony DeSclafani, Raisel Iglesias and Alfredo Simon -- with the chances looking quite good for Brandon Finnegan and Jon Moscot. No. 3 prospect Cody Reed is still on the spring roster, battling for a spot either in the rotation or .

It appears that the Reds will carry seven relievers, with J.J. Hoover still the only lock. Price has been impressed with lefty Tony Cingrani and righty Dayan Diaz. Right-hander Layne Somsen has looked good and Jumbo Diaz pitched two scoreless innings on Thursday after a slow start to camp. Caleb Cotham worked two scoreless innings with four strikeouts on Wednesday. Pedro Villarreal has allowed one run in five appearances.

"There are some guys starting to settle in and elevate themselves out of the pack," Price said. "If you get off to a slow start, then all of a sudden there is more pressure to perform on the back end of Spring Training.

"There's a lot of guys that are really on the fence right now, because their performance hasn't been great. Without a period of Major League success to fall back on, it really does come down to how they compete here, and how we can visualize them pitching in the big leagues."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, 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.

Moscot on track to 'be back to full form' Bailey throws bullpen session; Simon likely to start Tuesday By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | March 18th, 2016 + 2 COMMENTS

PHOENIX -- As he works to get through a mild left intercostal muscle strain, Reds pitcher Jon Moscot isn't yet on the list of probables to start again. Moscot, who was scratched from his start on Wednesday, believed he would only miss the one start.

"That's the hope," Moscot said on Friday. "It's getting better every day. It's just something that kind of flared up when I was hitting. They're taking good care of me. I'm feeling good, and I hope to be back to full form pretty soon."

Moscot threw 60 pitches over 3 2/3 innings in his previous outing on March 11.

"There's plenty of time to get back up to where I need to be. It was kind of a freak thing," said Moscot.

Moscot, who is trying to lock up one of the openings in the rotation, has resumed throwing, but he hasn't done any swinging since he was injured. He is 1-2 with an 8.31 ERA in his three starts this spring.

Around the horn

• (Tommy John surgery rehab) threw another 45-pitch bullpen session on Thursday without issue. Bailey, who is expected to join the rotation in May, is slated to face Reds hitters in Minor League camp on Wednesday.

• Alfredo Simon, who was signed to a one-year, $2 million contract on Thursday, is likely to make his first spring start on Tuesday vs. the Cubs. Simon would be replacing Robert Stephenson, who was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

• Pitching in a Minor League game vs. the Brewers on Friday, Reds reliever J.J. Hoover worked one scoreless and hitless inning with two walks and one while throwing 29 pitches.

• Reliever Zack Weiss came into camp expected to challenge for a role in the wide-open Reds bullpen, but he was re-assigned to the Minor Leagues on Friday. Weiss has been dealing with right elbow tenderness and inflammation, manager Bryan Price noted.

"It will take a few more days of no throwing before they'll give him a test flight with playing catch," Price said. "Even then, he'll have to spend 3-4 days playing catch before he can get on a mound to throw a bullpen, and then get re-slotted for another game. There's just not enough time to give him a reasonable look. We sent him down there with the challenge of being the best bullpen option for us the first time we need support. Our excitement about his ability and potential to help us hasn't waned at all. It was disappointing we didn't get to see more of him in the spring."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, 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.

Arroyo, Nats will meet to discuss second opinion MRI diagnosis reportedly changed from torn rotator cuff to bursa sac inflammation By Bill Ladson / MLB.com | @washingnats | + 20 COMMENTS

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals right-hander Bronson Arroyo received good news Friday. After an MRI from earlier this week was compared to one from 2014, Arroyo learned that he has an inflamed bursa sac in his right shoulder, according to a source, not a torn rotator cuff as was initially believed. FOXSports.com was the first to report about the second opinion.

The Nationals have not confirmed the report. In a statement, the club said it planned to meet with Arroyo about the shoulder on Saturday. Arroyo may be dealing with more than inflammation.

"We compared the MRI from Arizona with our MRI and we're going to sit with Bronson [Saturday] and map out a protocol for what happened," the statement said. "The report that was out there was inconsistent with what our reports are. The report out there is not consistent with what our team doctors are saying."

A change means Arroyo may not have to consider retirement after all. The source said Arroyo hopes to be back on the mound in a few weeks, which means he plans to rehab the shoulder.

During his pregame meeting with reporters on Thursday, Arroyo sounded like a man who felt his career was over after being told that he had a significant tear. Arroyo had the rotator cuff repaired at the same time he had Tommy John surgery in 2014. He was in uniform on Thursday and Friday and was seen talking to teammates.

Arroyo is competing with right-handers Tanner Roark and for the final two spots in the Nationals rotation. In his most recent start, on March 10 against the Astros, Arroyo pitched three shutout innings and struck out three. Arroyo said he wasn't healthy in that game against Houston.

Arroyo hasn't pitched in a Major League game since June 15, 2014.

"Yeah, I haven't really been healthy since I had the surgery," he said on Thursday. "I had the Tommy John [on my] elbow, and I had my rotator cuff repaired as well. It had a small tear, about 30 percent, in '14. I mean, there would be days where I felt pretty good. But it was one of those things where I couldn't tell if it was just something that would work itself out in camp as I was building up, and it would get stronger and better, or if it was something that was just going to be there all the time.

"If it stayed where it was, I could pitch with that. But it got to the point my last outing where it's just significantly so much pain that there's just no way to possibly pitch. And there's also no way to turn it around and pitch again. It's not looking real good, but we'll take a couple days to just let them analyze it a little bit."

Arroyo has had a productive career in the big leagues. He has won 145 games and posted a career 4.19 ERA in 15 seasons. He is best remembered for helping the Red Sox win the in 2004 -- their first in 86 years.

Manager Dusty Baker persuaded Arroyo to sign with the Nationals instead of the Reds this past offseason. The two were together for six years with Cincinnati.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the Time. He also can be found on Twitter @WashingNats. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Top prospect Robert Stephenson among latest Reds cuts Zach Buchanan, [email protected] 5:22 p.m. EDT March 18, 2016

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – A day after a rough outing against the , top pitching prospect Robert Stephenson was included among eight cuts made by the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Stephenson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville, where he ended last season.

The Reds also optioned right-hander Stephen Johnson and outfielder Kyle Waldrop to Triple-A and assigned outfielder Jesse Winker, catcher Joe Hudson and righties Tim Adleman and Zack Weiss to minor-league camp. Veteran left-hander Jonathan Sanchez was released.

Stephenson gave up six runs against the Indians, struggling to get his fastball down in the zone. It was his first rough outing, but the team is also in no hurry to start the 23-year-old in the majors. (Fellow pitching prospect Cody Reed remains in camp, but perhaps only until after he makes his next scheduled start Tuesday.) When Stephenson can throw his , change-up and fastball for strikes consistently, he’ll get a call-up.

“The command of those three pitches will dictate when he gets to the big leagues,” manager Bryan Price said. “I told him if I don’t see you, I’d be really disappointed if I didn’t see him back here this year, not just as a September call- up. It could be as a relief pitcher or as a starter, it wouldn’t matter. Wherever he fits in best.”

Winker and Weiss started camp with a shot to make the Opening Day roster, Winker in the mix for the left field job and Weiss gunning for a bullpen slot. Both had their camps derailed by injuries. Winker hurt his hip in an outfield collision last week and hasn’t played since while Weiss has dealt with elbow tenderness and has pitched only twice.

Sanchez was included in the rotation battle when and reported but fell out of contention as he struggled with his command. The 33-year-old signed with the team on a minor-league deal after not pitching in the majors since 2013.

“We just didn’t feel like we were going to be able to provide him with continued opportunity to compete for a spot on the club,” Price said of Sanchez. “With the younger we’re going to give the first crack to in Triple-A, it probably wouldn’t create enough opportunity for him to compete in Triple-A.”

Injury updates

Left-hander John Lamb, who has been slowly working back from offseason back surgery, threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, his second since taking a 10-day hiatus from throwing off a mound. Lamb also threw a 20-pitch session Tuesday.

Lamb started the spring throwing mound sessions, but was pulled off in order to work on building lower-body strength. That mission has been accomplished, Lamb thinks.

“If anything, I just feel like it’s woken up,” Lamb said. “It’s not necessarily night-and-day strength. Just at the balance point, I have a little bit more feel from head down to left hip into my foot. I feel grounded.”

Right-hander Jon Moscot, scratched Wednesday with an intercostal sprain, hopes to only miss one start. Moscot has already made three starts in the Cactus League, topping out at 3 2/3 innings.

“There’s plenty of time before the season to get back to where I need to be,” Moscot said.

Homer Bailey, working back from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled to face hitters for the first time Wednesday.

Blandino lifts Nicaragua

Reds infield prospect hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Nicaragua a 5-4, come-from-behind victory over Germany on Thursday in the opener of the qualifier in Mexico.

Blandino, who went 2 for 5, had struck out three straight times before hitting the game-winner. Fellow Reds minor- league Donald Lutz played for Germany, going 0 for 3 with two walks.

Billy Hamilton plays center, Adam Duvall homers in Reds' win Reds Blog Zach Buchanan, [email protected] 7:47 p.m. EDT March 18, 2016

MARYVALE, Ariz. – Adam Duvall hit a long home run, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the , 7-6, on Friday at Maryvale Baseball Park.

The game was also the first back in the field for Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton, who has been easing back from offseason shoulder surgery. Hamilton played five innings, although only two balls were hit his way.

“It was different, from not being able to be out there to going out there one day,” Hamilton said. “It’s fun to be out there, man, to run around in the outfield and get back used to it. I felt like I hadn’t been out there in forever.”

THE ARMS

Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings, the third straight outing he’s given up at least two runs. The Brewers collected six hits off DeSclafani, although he struck out seven batters.

Two of those runs scored in the first as the Brewers started the game with three straight hits, including an RBI double by Ryan Braun. A groundout scored the second run.

After two scoreless innings, DeSclafani gave up a solo home run to Chris Carter to start the fourth, and was chased from the game when Kirk Nieuwenhuis smacked a two-out, run-scoring triple in the fifth.

“He’s doing the things we asked him to do, and that’s really integrate the curveball and the change-up into his mix,” manager Bryan Price said. “And he’s spent a lot of time on them, and sometimes when he’s not feeling them it can put him in some bad counts. But we’ve asked him to do that.”

RHP walked three batters in one inning, but still managed to prevent a run from scoring.

THE BATS

Adam Duvall, playing third but battling for the starting job in left field, went 3 for 3 with a monster home run, raising his Cactus League average to .333. Starters Jose Peraza, Joey Votto and each collected a hit, as did DeSclafani.

The Reds took a 7-5 lead in the eighth on a two-run double by Tyler Holt.

THE REST

Sampson had a scare on the mound, not from a line drive but from a throw down to second. As Keon Broxton tried to steal second with two outs, catcher Chad Tromp nailed Sampson in the back of the leg with his throw. Sampson was able to finish the inning.

UP NEXT

RHP Raisel Iglesias will make his second Cactus League start when the Reds visit the at Hohokam Stadium. The A’s will throw ace . Following Iglesias will be LHP Tony Cingrani and RHPs Caleb Cotham, Blake Wood and Tim Melville. The audio broadcast will be carried on WLW 700 AM at 4:05 p.m. Eastern.

Cincinnati Reds' rotation settling, but bullpen still wide open Zach Buchanan, [email protected] 6:33 p.m. EDT March 18, 2016

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – After the demotion of top pitching prospect Robert Stephenson and the signing of veteran Alfredo Simon, the Cincinnati Reds’ rotation is finally starting to take shape. The bullpen, however, remains nearly as wide open as before.

The rotation is likely to be filled by Simon, left-hander Brandon Finnegan and right-handers Anthony DeSclafani, Raisel Iglesias and Jon Moscot. But in the bullpen, only anointed closer J.J. Hoover is assured of a spot.

“There’s a lot of guys that are really on the fence right now because their performance hasn’t been great,” manager Bryan Price said. “Without a period of major league success to fall back on, it really does come down to how they compete here and how we can visualize them pitching in the big leagues.”

If big-league track record is a factor, decent bets can be placed on Jumbo Diaz and Tony Cingrani. Both have experience in the majors and have at some point shown the ability to get outs with some consistency. Cingrani had one fantastic year as a starter in 2013, but then struggled to find a breaking ball and with injuries. Diaz had success in the bullpen after returning from the minors last season.

Both have looked good in Cactus League play. Cingrani has struck out nine in six scoreless innings while showing the ability to throw his for strikes. Diaz had one terrible outing Monday against the , but rebounded to give up just one hit in two frames Wednesday.

“It was good see Jumbo sharp for a couple of innings,” Price said. “Cingrani, that’s as well as I’ve seen him from a stuff perspective.”

The list of candidates after that is long. Righty Dayan Diaz has a long history of success in the minor leagues and has a 1.59 ERA this spring. On Friday, Price had praise for Caleb Cotham, part of the package acquired from the for Aroldis Chapman.

Pitchers like Pedro Villarreal, , A.J. Morris, Layne Somsen and Rule 5 pick Chris O’Grady have all had good outings in spring training games. Right-hander Keyvius Sampson, who recently returned from a bout of elbow soreness, would seem to have the inside track on winning the long reliever role.

“There are some guys starting to settle in and elevate themselves out of the pack,” Price said.

The composition of the bullpen will be especially important with the Reds expected to have a young rotation. Price won’t hesitate to yank an inexperienced starter in the middle innings to protect his confidence, and the team will have to decide whether than necessitates carrying an extra reliever like it did for much of 2015.

The addition of Simon should assuage those concerns somewhat. But as durable as Simon is, he’s getting a late start to spring training and will need to be handled with care as he builds up to a starter’s share of innings.

“We have to do due diligence, instead of giving him three starts in spring training and saying, ‘Hey, here’s 115 in your first regular-season start,’” Price said. “Once he’s stretched out and loose, he’s definitely a guy I feel comfortable leaning on to suck up the innings and to keep himself in games.”

Another option would be to use the team’s bullpen youth to its advantage. Young players usually have options intact, and other teams have cobbled together successful by shuttling players back and forth between the minors in order to keep everyone fresh.

The only reliever who can’t be sent to the minors to start the season without his consent is right-hander Blake Wood, although O’Grady must be offered back to his original team, the Los Angeles Angels, before he can be sent down. Wood is also the only reliever beside Hoover on a big-league deal, signing for $600,000 this offseason after pitching the ninth for the Triple-A affiliate last season.

Despite that commitment, Wood is not guaranteed a roster spot.

“It’s 94-98 every pitch, but the command has been sporadic and that needs to improve,” Price said of Wood. “I think he could be a really nice fit for us, but you’ve got to command the ball better.”

TRANSACTIONS 03/18/16 optioned to . RHP Trey McNutt assigned to . RHP Jason Jester assigned to San Diego Padres. CF Darius Day assigned to . SS Luis Marte assigned to Texas Rangers. RHP Adam Quintana assigned to Texas Rangers. LHP Joe Filomeno assigned to Texas Rangers. RHP Austin Pettibone assigned to Texas Rangers. RHP Luke Farrell assigned to . RHP assigned to Kansas City Royals. Cincinnati Reds released LHP Jonathan Sanchez. optioned Jimmy Cordero to Reading Fightin Phils. RHP Pedro Payano assigned to Texas Rangers. optioned Pedro Severino to Syracuse Chiefs. Philadelphia Phillies optioned Jorge Alfaro to Reading Fightin Phils. OF Leody Taveras assigned to Texas Rangers. optioned Jeimer Candelario to Tennessee Smokies. RHP John Fasola assigned to Texas Rangers. LHP Ryne Slack assigned to Texas Rangers. LHP Juan Grullon assigned to Texas Rangers. RHP Reed Garrett assigned to Texas Rangers. 3B Curtis Terry assigned to Texas Rangers. OF Nick Kaye assigned to Texas Rangers. LHP Frank Lopez assigned to Texas Rangers. RHP Rob Wort assigned to . Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Josh Bell to . Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Willy Garcia to Indianapolis Indians. LHP Robert Fish assigned to Washington Nationals. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Alen Hanson to Indianapolis Indians. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned John Holdzkom to Indianapolis Indians. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Nick Kingham to Indianapolis Indians. Evan Rutckyj returned to New York Yankees from . 2B Stephen Wickens assigned to . LF Travis Harrison assigned to Minnesota Twins. LF Carlos Garcia assigned to Kansas City Royals. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Max Moroff to Indianapolis Indians. RF Brandon Bayardi assigned to Los Angeles Angels. OF Trever Allen assigned to Los Angeles Angels. Colorado Rockies optioned to Hartford Yard Goats. Colorado Rockies optioned Tom Murphy to . RHP Harrison Cooney assigned to Los Angeles Angels. Colorado Rockies optioned German Marquez to Hartford Yard Goats. Colorado Rockies optioned Carlos Estevez to Albuquerque Isotopes. Colorado Rockies optioned to Albuquerque Isotopes. C Webster Rivas assigned to Los Angeles Angels. C Anthony Phillips assigned to Los Angeles Angels. Cincinnati Reds optioned Kyle Waldrop to . Cincinnati Reds optioned Robert Stephenson to Louisville Bats. Cincinnati Reds optioned Stephen Johnson to Louisville Bats. Chicago Cubs optioned C.J. Riefenhauser to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned Carl Edwards Jr. to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned Willson Contreras to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned Arismendy Alcantara to Iowa Cubs. 3B Mike Ahmed assigned to . RF Johan Mieses assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. C Michael Arroyo assigned to Kansas City Royals. RHP Jacob Bodner assigned to Kansas City Royals. C Spencer Navin assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. LF Mike Fish assigned to Los Angeles Angels. 3B Angel Rosa assigned to Los Angeles Angels. IF Jeff Boehm assigned to Los Angeles Angels. RHP Austin House assigned to Colorado Rockies. LHP Tyler Ybarra assigned to Colorado Rockies. LHP Carlos Hernandez assigned to Colorado Rockies. optioned Dalton Pompey to . Toronto Blue Jays optioned Matt Dominguez to Buffalo Bisons. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Gift Ngoepe to Indianapolis Indians. sent Montreal Robertson outright to Erie SeaWolves. Atlanta Braves optioned Mallex Smith to Gwinnett Braves. LHP Victor Payano assigned to Texas Rangers. CF Rashad Crawford assigned to Chicago Cubs. C Gioskar Amaya assigned to Chicago Cubs. RHP Scott Effross assigned to Chicago Cubs. optioned Chris Lee to Bowie Baysox. Baltimore Orioles optioned Parker Bridwell to Bowie Baysox. signed free agent RHP Justin De Fratus to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. OF James Harris assigned to Oakland Athletics. OF Bryson Myles assigned to Cleveland Indians. OF Greg Allen assigned to Cleveland Indians. CF Bralin Jackson assigned to . LF Nick Longhi assigned to Boston Red Sox. CF Luis Alexander Basabe assigned to Boston Red Sox. Cleveland Indians signed free agent LF Marlon Byrd to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 3B Jordan Betts assigned to Boston Red Sox. 2B Chad De La Guerra assigned to Boston Red Sox. RHP Brandon Show assigned to Boston Red Sox. RHP Mario Alcantara assigned to Boston Red Sox. Cleveland Indians optioned to . RHP Austin Maddox assigned to Boston Red Sox. 1B Josh Ockimey assigned to Boston Red Sox. C Alixon Suarez assigned to Boston Red Sox. Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Chris Rowley to a minor league contract. 3B Rafael Devers assigned to Boston Red Sox. 1B K.C. Hobson assigned to Toronto Blue Jays. LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Boston Red Sox. C assigned to Cincinnati Reds. IF David Harris assigned to Toronto Blue Jays. RHP Chad Rogers assigned to Cincinnati Reds. RHP Murphy Smith assigned to Toronto Blue Jays. Seattle Mariners optioned to . Seattle Mariners optioned Boog Powell to Tacoma Rainiers. Seattle Mariners optioned Cody Martin to Tacoma Rainiers. RHP Aaron West assigned to . Minnesota Twins optioned Alex Meyer to . Minnesota Twins optioned Jorge Polanco to Rochester Red Wings. Minnesota Twins optioned Kennys Vargas to Rochester Red Wings. OF assigned to Boston Red Sox. Boston Red Sox optioned Marco Hernandez to . 1B Carlos Munoz assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. LF Justin Maffei assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. CF Barrett Barnes assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. 1B Jose Osuna assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. 2B Erik Forgione assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. C Christian Kelley assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.