Cincinnati 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 pitchers from using any foreign substances. The Reds were hit hard by this change with their two top pitchers, Hod Eller and Slim Sallee, 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 Baseball Classic. Most notable of the group is Cincinnati's recent free-agent signee, starting pitcher 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 trade for right fielder Jay Bruce. He is currently blocked on Cincinnati's big league roster at second base by Brandon Phillips. 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 Major League Baseball 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 World Series 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 National League 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.