Reds Press Clippings February 9, 2017

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1920-The rule committee ushers in the era of the lively ball, which allows the use of a fresh ball and bans from using any foreign substances. The Reds were hit hard by this change with their two top pitchers, and , being “trick” ball pitchers

MLB.COM WBC '17 rosters include 4 Reds players Feldman, Diaz, Herrera among Cincinnati's reps at tournament By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | February 8th, 2017 + 1 COMMENT

CINCINNATI -- The Reds will have four players, including three from their 40-man roster, representing their countries in the 2017 World Classic.

Most notable of the group is Cincinnati's recent free-agent signee, starting Scott Feldman, who will be with Team Israel. Reliever Jumbo Diaz will pitch for the Dominican Republic, second baseman Dilson Herrera will be with Colombia and non-roster catcher Shawn Zarraga will play for the Netherlands.

Feldman, who turned 34 on Tuesday, was signed to a one-year, $2.3 million contract on Jan. 26, and he is expected to be Cincinnati's No. 4 starter. He was 7-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 40 games (five starts) with the Astros and Blue Jays this past season.

Diaz, 32, has been with the Reds in each of the past three seasons, but he isn't a lock for a bullpen spot this spring. In 45 games in 2016, he had a 3.14 ERA, retired 30 of 45 first batters faced and allowed six of 19 inherited runners to score.

Herrera, who will turn 23 on March 3, was acquired from the Mets in the Aug. 1 for right fielder . He is currently blocked on Cincinnati's big league roster at second base by . During limited big league time with New York in 2014-15, he batted .215 over 49 games, but he hit .274/.335/.456 with 15 homers and 64 RBIs in 110 Triple-A games this past season.

Feldman is part of their Israel's designated pitcher pool (DPP). Each team has the option of using a DPP, which works like this: A team can use up to 10 designated pitchers, but it can't have more than two on its active roster at a time. Those "active" DPs can be replaced at the beginning of each of the next two rounds, but only by another DP. Once a DP has been replaced, he cannot return to the active roster for a subsequent round. Using Team Israel as an example, Shlomo Lipetz and Joey Wagman are the active DPs for the first round of pool play, so they can be replaced on the roster before the second round or the championship round, but only by one of the team's other DPs. And if a DP joins for the second round, he can be replaced for the championship round, but only by another DP.

Feldman is not listed as an active DP, so he won't pitch in the first round.

The World Baseball Classic runs from March 6-22. In the U.S., games will air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN will provide the exclusive Spanish- language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. will have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. Internationally, the tournament will be distributed across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

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 or its clubs.

Votto eager to lead Reds back to contention Slugger rebounded from slow start in 2016 with monster second half By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | February 8th, 2017 + 29 COMMENTS

With Spring Training fast approaching, MLB.com will take a look at a different aspect of this year's Reds squad each day this week. Today's topic: How's your star?

CINCINNATI -- The best hitter in the Reds lineup and the team's focal point, first baseman Joey Votto, will turn 34 shortly before the end of the 2017 season. For many players, that is the other side of the mountain from the peak of prime years.

But Votto is coming off two renaissance-level seasons offensively, although it was largely out of the spotlight as Cincinnati endured back-to-back last-place finishes with more than 90 losses both years. When the rebuilding Reds do contend again, will Votto still be one of baseball's best with the bat to help them take the next step?

With a full no-trade clause in his contract, which has seven guaranteed years and $179 million remaining, Votto has shown zero desire to be moved. He planned on being around long enough to find out. He will make $25 million this season.

"I'm looking forward to the team getting better. I'm looking forward to being a part of it," Votto said in December. "I know I have to do everything I can to be a better all-around player so I can keep up with the rest of the guys on the team. Watching both the Indians and the Cubs compete in the this year, you saw almost every different aspect of what makes winning baseball happen. I felt like there are parts of my game, specifically, that I was coming up a bit short on. I'm looking forward to playing with 25 guys that can bring a championship back to Cincinnati.

"The three playoff experiences that I've had were short-lived and disappointing. I'd like another go. I'd like to be part of another go, here."

Votto, who also has a $20 million club option for the 2024 season, batted .326/.434/.550 with 29 home runs, 34 doubles and 97 RBIs in 2016. He led the in on-base percentage and was second in OPS and walks.

It took quite a comeback for him to get those numbers as Votto was batting .213 on June 1. He posted outrageous second-half numbers, including a .408 average and 1.158 OPS with 15 homers after the All-Star break.

Votto battled left knee injuries in 2012 and '14, with the latter leaving him hobbling to his worst career numbers and a career-low 62 games. He has shown durability the past two seasons, however, with 158 games played in both years.

Known for his work habits and diligence at the plate, Votto put in the time to get better when he was struggling in the first half of the past two seasons. At the same time, the former NL Gold Glove winner saw his defense fade. He has maintained that he planned to put in more time to raise his overall game.

If Votto gets off to a hotter start in 2017 and maintains it, he could be a contender for his second NL Most Valuable Player Award. If he can continue to perform at this level, perhaps it will speed the Reds' return to contention.

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.

Bailey out 4-6 weeks after right elbow surgery Pitcher had arthroscopic procedure to remove bone spurs By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | February 8th, 2017 + 111 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- The Reds' hopes to have pitcher Homer Bailey's arm troubles behind him for good took a downturn. Bailey had arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to remove small bone spurs from his right elbow, the club revealed.

The surgery was performed in New York by Dr. David Altchek.

Bailey experienced discomfort while increasing his throwing workload as he prepared for Spring Training. Exams indicated that the ulnar collateral ligament and flexor mass tendon are healthy. Bailey had previously had surgery in both areas, but his offseason throwing program had been going well in Texas, making this latest setback somewhat surprising.

"The discomfort was very recent," Reds general manager Dick Williams said. "We got it looked at very quickly, and this was diagnosed. We acted as quickly as we could."

The Reds expect Bailey to resume throwing in 4-6 weeks. He is likely to begin the season on the disabled list.

Bailey, 30, returned July 31 after missing 15 months because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. In six starts, he was 2-3 with a 6.65 ERA before he was shut down again with right biceps tenderness.

Since going on the DL with his flexor mass tendon tear in August 2014, Bailey has been limited to eight starts. He is entering the fourth year of a six-year, $105 million contract, and he has $68 million remaining on the pact.

Without Bailey in the rotation, another spot opens up in what should be a deep competition. Among starters expected to compete for spots are prospects Robert Stephenson, Cody Reed and Amir Garrett, along with Tim Adleman and non-roster invitee Bronson Arroyo, who is also trying to come back from two years out due to arm injuries.

Williams wasn't planning on adding another pitcher to the mix. It's possible that Bailey won't miss too much of the season, but the GM wasn't ready to determine when he could return to pitching in games.

"We won't do a knee-jerk signing as a result of this," Williams said. "I'd hate to speculate this soon. We haven't even drawn out his rehab schedule yet. It's a little early to know."

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.

Reds embrace Harmon's legacy In honor of Black History Month, Cincinnati celebrates its first African-American player By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | February 8th, 2017 + 3 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- It's been nearly 63 years since Chuck Harmon made history for the Reds as their first African-American player. Time has not diminished what he has meant to Cincinnati, and the club continues to embrace and honor Harmon's legacy.

Harmon, then 29, appeared for the first time as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning against the Braves on April 17, 1954, seven years after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League color barrier with the Dodgers.

"He came through at a time when it was difficult for African-Americans to play pro baseball. Even though it was several years after Jackie Robinson, he was our first," said Rick Walls, the executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame.

Harmon is now 92 years old and remains a Cincinnati resident. In a sit-down interview with MLB.com ahead of the Civil Rights Game in 2010, he said he never let the issue of racism bother him while he was playing, even in a city like Cincinnati that was racially divided at the time.

"If you worried about how you were being treated or going to be treated, you don't need to be there," Harmon said. "You have to play the game and do all the little extra things. You don't have time to wonder if someone will look at you cross-eyed or say something to you. It was enough to worry about that baseball coming at you or someone sliding into you. There were too many other things to worry about."

Harmon shakes hands with his son, Chuck Harmon Jr., during a 2004 plaque unveiling ceremony honoring him.(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Harmon spent four seasons in the Major Leagues. He was traded from the Reds to the Cardinals in May 1956 and dealt again in '57 to the Phillies. Over his 289 career games in the big leagues, he batted .238 with seven home runs and 59 RBIs.

"Mr. Harmon, he was always pulling for the Reds," former Reds manager Dusty Baker said in 2010. "I remember when came in, he took him under his wing. Frank was a young African-American kid from Oakland coming to Cincinnati -- it was a little different back then. Mr. Harmon went through a lot and talked to Frank. Back in the day, to be the first African- American anywhere was different. I went through being the first African-American in my school district -- me and my brother -- in high school. I know how hard it was for me in 1966, so I imagine what it was like for him in 1954."

In his post-playing career, Harmon scouted for the Braves, Indians and the NBA's Indiana Pacers. He also worked in sales for the MacGregor Sporting Goods Company. For 24 years he worked as an administrative assistant at Ohio's First District Court of Appeals, and he was married for 62 years to Daurel, who passed away in 2009. The couple had three children.

For several years, Harmon was a fixture at to watch games. He also is a frequent guest at events like Redsfest and other special occasions for the club. In 2014, Harmon received the Powell Crosley Jr. Award from the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum for his dedication and devotion to the Reds.

"It was for his influence and ambassadorship with the fans and represents the club and carries himself," Walls said. "He's a humanitarian in many ways and a class act all of the time."

In 2015, during the week of the All-Star Game in Cincinnati, the Reds honored Harmon with a statue outside of the P&G Cincinnati MLB Youth Academy.

"It was always a pleasure to give someone an autograph or have a picture taken with them," Harmon said. "That's why they come out there. It makes you feel good. Naturally, in your heart, you say to yourself, 'I must be doing something right.'"

In March, he will be part of a new Reds Hall of Fame exhibit, "From Red to Bronze," which focuses on the nine Reds players that have had statues made in their honor.

"People ask me the same old thing: 'Did you think you would make history?'" Harmon said. "I tell them, 'When you're born, you're history.' You don't realize when you're actually making history."

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.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Reds pitcher Homer Bailey has surgery to remove bone spurs in elbow Zach Buchanan , [email protected] Published 2:49 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2017 | Updated 11 hours ago

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Homer Bailey hasn't pitched a full season since 2013. That streak will continue for another year.

On Wednesday, the Reds announced that Bailey had surgery to remove bone spurs from his surgically repaired elbow. He is expected to be shut down for 4-6 weeks, and will likely start the season on the disabled list. It's the latest in a long line of elbow troubles for the 30-year-old, all of which have prevented the Reds from getting much return on their nine-digit investment.

Bailey signed a six-year, $106 million extension before the 2014 season. He's pitched just 180 innings since then, including just 34 1/3 the last two seasons. He's still owed $68 million, of which $19 million will be paid this season.

"It’s been a long road," said Dick Williams, the team's president of baseball operations. "He’s worked hard to get back on the field. I know he’s feeling frustrated, and I know he’s still committed to getting back out there as quick as he can.”

Late in the 2014 season, Bailey required flexor mass surgery. He pitched only 11 innings in the 2015 season before tearing his ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery. He was expected back from that procedure in May of last season, but suffered a setback related to the nerve in his elbow and didn't debut until July 31.

He pitched 23 innings over six starts before his arm started barking at him again, this time with fatigue. The Reds shut him down, although he was in the process of building back up to return to action when the season ended. He was expected to have a normal offseason.

But in the last month, Bailey complained of discomfort while increasing his throwing workload as he prepared for spring training. He saw Dr. David Altchek in New York, with whom he'd sought a second opinion on his elbow after his setback earlier in the 2016 season. Exams revealed that his flexor mass and UCL both are healthy, but also revealed the bone spurs. Altchek performed the surgery to remove them Wednesday.

Bailey's recovery will delay his debut by at least the amount of time he'll be held back from throwing, making his best-case scenario a mid-May return. That may be optimistic, and any timeline will have to take into account how Bailey reacts to his rehab. But Williams doesn't expect 2017 to be another lost season.

“I think it’s fair to say we expect to get the majority of the season," Williams said. "I really can’t get more specific. I really don’t know yet."

Losing Bailey thins a rotation that was already lacking reliabilty. Only left-hander Brandon Finnegan and right-handers Anthony DeSclafani and Scott Feldman have rotation spots at the moment. The Reds have a host of young pitchers vying for major-league shots -- Robert Stephenson, Cody Reed, Amir Garrett, Nick Travieso, Sal Romano, Rookie Davis and Tyler Mahe, to name several - - but none have proven themselves capable of handling a 200-inning load in the big leagues.

The rotation was one spot deeper last month, before the Reds traded righty to the . Straily was the team's most reliable starter in 2016, but the Reds wanted to capitalize on his value for the return of three players, pitchers and Austin Brice and outfield prospect Isaiah White. The Reds signed Feldman soon after moving Straily.

Williams doesn't want a redo on that trade in the wake of Bailey's latest injury setback.

"That decision in a vacuum would not have been affected by Homer," Williams said. "In other words, if Homer’s down, we wouldn’t have kept Dan to replace Homer. Now, we need to make a decision on if we need to do anything to address the fact that Homer will be out for a while now.”

The Reds aren't rushing out to the clearance aisle for one of the remaining free agent pitchers. Flush with young pitching, Williams would rather see how his prospects perform in spring before bringing in anyone from the outside.

The Reds are expected to sign veteran and familiar face Bronson Arroyo to a minor-league deal this week, but he comes with injury issues of his own. Arroyo hasn't pitched consistently since 2014, when he had an elbow injury of his own, and may be able to handle only relief work.

Williams also said there are no plans to move former starters like Michael Lorenzen or Raisel Iglesias back into the rotation.

"There will be an opportunity for the guys who are coming to assert themselves," Williams said. "I think it’s fair to say we’ll at least look around to see if there are some options."

Dilson Herrera leads four Reds on WBC rosters C. Trent Rosecrans , [email protected] Published 1:45 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2017 | Updated 20 hours ago

Four members of the Reds organization will be part of World Baseball Classic rosters when they are announced on Wednesday, multiple sources tell The Enquirer.

Second baseman Dilson Herrera will play for Colombia, reliever Jumbo Diaz is part of the Dominican Republic’s team, catcher Shawn Zarraga will be on the

Netherlands’ team and starter Scott Feldman is on Israel’s roster. Feldman will be part of Isreal’s pitcher pool, but won’t be used in the first round of play.

The WBC begins March 6 with Isreal and Korea playing in Seoul, South Korea. The Netherlands is also in that pool, along with Chinese Taipei.

Columbia, the Dominican Republic, Canada and the United States start Pool C play on March 9 in Miami. The Dominican Republic will play Canada in the opening game of pool play, with Colombia facing the United States the next night.

The top two teams from each pool will play in semifinal pools, taking place in Tokyo and San Diego. The Championship Round begins March 20 in Los Angeles.

Herrera, who will turn 23 on March 3, was part of the deal that sent Jay Bruce to the Mets at the trade deadline on Aug. 1. He is in his first spring with the Reds. He played for Colombia last spring in WBC qualifying in Panama City, Panama.

Feldman was signed to a big-league deal last month after the trade of Dan Straily to compete for a starter’s spot. The new WBC rule allows teams to designate a 10-member pitching pool that would allow teams to add up to two pitchers following each round of the tournament. Israel is an underdog to advance past the opening round.

Zarraga, 28, was signed to a minor-league deal this offseason after two seasons in the Dodgers organization. Zarraga was born in Aruba, a constituent country of the Netherlands.

Diaz, who will be 33 later this month, appeared in 45 games for the Reds last year, putting up a 3.14 ERA, the best mark in his three-year big-league career. WCPO - Channel 9 Fay: Reds Question 5: Is Scott Schebler the right man in right field? Hamilton's got center and Duvall's in left John Fay | WCPO contributor 9:00 AM, Feb 9, 2017

CINCINNATI -- At the final Winter Caravan stop, a fan asked Bryan Price who the third outfielder would be.

It took a second for the question to register. Then Price quickly said: "Scott Schebler. We like our outfield."

That outfield would be Schebler in right, Billy Hamilton in center and Adam Duvall in left. It's understandable that the fan would not have noticed that Schebler had won the job in right. After all, Schebler's best work came after a lot of fans quit paying much attention to the Reds.

Schebler hit .290 with eight home runs and 32 RBI in 55 games as the right fielder after the Reds traded away Jay Bruce in July 31. That projects to 24 home runs and 94 RBI over a full season. If the Reds get that from Schebler, they'll do cartwheels down Joe Nuxhall Way. That would give the Reds a reliable left-handed bat to go with Joey Votto.

Reds pitcher Homer Bailey likely starting season on the disabled list John Fay Posted: 2:42 PM, Feb 8, 2017 Updated: 2:54 PM, Feb 8, 2017

CINCINNATI -- Reds right-hander Homer Bailey will likely begin the season on the disabled list after having surgery to remove small bone spurs from his right elbow.

Bailey, 30, had discomfort when throwing before spring training. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Monday.

Bailey’s surgery was performed Wednesday by Dr. David Alchek in New York. Bailey is expected to begin throwing in four to six weeks.

Bailey has missed most of the past two seasons after two elbow surgeries.

He began last season on the DL. He had a setback during a rehab start on April 26. He was shut down. He didn’t make his Reds debut until July 27. He made six starts before having soreness again. His season ended on Aug. 28.

Bailey still has three years left on his $106 million contract.

The Reds were counting on Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan and free agent Scott Feldman to fill the first four spots in the rotation.

ESPN.COM Reds' Homer Bailey has arthroscopic surgery on elbow 5:13 PM ET

Reds right-hander Homer Bailey had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, the team announced.

Bailey, 30, won't throw for four to six weeks and will probably start the season on the disabled list.

Reds general manager Dick Williams said Bailey experienced discomfort while increasing his throwing workload in preparation for spring training.

"The discomfort was very recent," Williams said. "We got it looked at very quickly, and this was diagnosed. We acted as quickly as we could."

Bailey signed a six-year, $105 million deal with the Reds before the 2014 season. In the past two years he's made a total of eight starts and pitched 34⅓ innings.

A strained flexor mass in Bailey's right arm sidelined him in 2014 and needed surgery. In 2015, he suffered ligament damage in April and had Tommy John surgery that cost him that season and most of the 2016 season. He came back briefly, but after six starts was again having elbow issues.

Williams said the recent tests on Bailey's elbow showed that the ulnar collateral ligament and flexor mass are healthy. However, they revealed small bone spurs, and the decision was made to remove them as soon as possible.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Baseball's best bets to beat Father Time 10:34 AM ET Dan Szymborski Special to ESPN.com

No matter how talented a player you are, or how many Cy Youngs and/or MVP awards you win, time will get you in the end. For a team investing a hundred million bucks -- or more -- in a player in his late 20s or early 30s, the difference between that player aging normally and aging terribly can have an enormous impact on the bottom line.

Want an example? Think Ryan Howard. If he had aged normally, it would have been a terrible contract. ZiPS projected him as being worth significantly less than half his contract at the time. But he aged worse than the typical player, and the contract was a total loss.

To really score on a contract, teams need to be able to identify players who are more likely to age well than even the projection models predict. With weak free-agent markets making it more imperative than ever to keep legitimate stars out of the winter auctions, teams can't afford to put these types of decisions off forever.

With the caveat that I don't personally have $100 million to risk on a player's career -- my bank was quite adamant about not granting that credit line increase -- let's take a stab at guessing which stars today will age well. Hopefully, I'm not teased about too many of these guesses in 10 years.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Reds' Bailey has elbow surgery, could start season on DL By JOE KAY Feb. 8, 2017 6:49 PM EST

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds starter Homer Bailey had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow on Wednesday and is expected to be on the disabled list at the start of the season.

Bailey was limited to six starts last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery and had numerous setbacks. The right-hander began experiencing soreness in the elbow as he got ready for spring training. Medical scans showed no problem with the ligament that was replaced.

Bailey is expected to resume throwing in four-to-six weeks.

The Reds were hoping Bailey — their most accomplished starter — would be fully healthy this season. He's entering the fourth year of a $105 million, six-year deal that includes a $19 million salary this season. TRANSACTIONS 02/08/17 Kansas City Royals traded RHP Alec Mills to for CF Donald Dewees Jr.. Kansas City Royals designated RHP Alec Mills for assignment. signed free agent RHP Yusmeiro Petit to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Kansas City Royals signed free agent RHP Jason Hammel. traded C Jesus Sucre to Tampa Bay Rays for Player To Be Named Later. signed free agent LHP Mike Zagurski to a minor league contract. Detroit Tigers signed free agent OF David Lough to a minor league contract. Chicago Cubs designated LHP David Rollins for assignment.