Reds Press Clippings August 29, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1997-The Reds play the Twins for the first time during the regular season, and win, 5-3, at the Metrodome MLB.COM Inbox: What is Scooter's future with Reds? Beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers Cincinnati fans' questions By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | August 28th, 2017 + 81 COMMENTS

While the Reds take an off-day in the midst of their homestand, let's dive into some of your questions about the team in this edition of the Inbox.

Do you think the Reds will keep Scooter Gennett with the kind of year that he is having so far? -- James, Burch, Ky.

I believe they will, especially since Gennett has two more years of club control while he's eligible for arbitration. He's only 27, and besides having a breakout year at the plate, Gennett has also become a key part of the clubhouse.

However, I won't say that Gennett is a stone-cold lock to stay. Gennett's market is at its peak, and general manager Dick Williams isn't afraid to exploit that value (see the trade to the Marlins in January). The Reds could also have a bit of a second- base bind with Dilson Herrera, who is out the rest of the year due to right shoulder surgery. They haven't had Herrera fully healthy since last year's trade with the Mets for Jay Bruce, and he will be coming to Spring Training out of options.

Now that Billy Hamilton has several years under his belt and has shown to be not much of a hitter, do the Reds trade him now while he is worth a decent return? -- Carl I., Dallas, Texas

Using your rationale, how could the Reds get a decent return for Hamilton if he's shown to be not much of a hitter? His sub-.300 on- base percentage remains troubling, but he still has stolen 50 or more bases each of the past four years and is one of the best center fielders in the game defensively. That's why Hamilton is likely to stick around.

Why keep Jose Peraza? His defense is so poor, no matter where he plays. -- David H., Boise, Idaho

Because Peraza is only 23 years old and still has room to grow. He came to the Reds from the Dodgers as a more offense-first, glove-second kind of player. But remember that Eugenio Suarez arrived from the Tigers as a young player with the same reputation a few years ago, and he worked himself into a strong defensive player at third base. Like Suarez, Peraza has an excellent work ethic and wants to get better.

Which of the young we have seen, besides , do you think will turn the corner and become legit Major Leaguer? -- Dan, Noblesville, Ind.

Despite the rough year for many of the young starting- prospects in 2017, it's too early to give up on any of them. But the two that I've seen who have stood out this season -- besides Castillo -- are Sal Romano and . When they're good, they're very tough to hit, and they both have multiple pitches in their bag of tricks. Romano has had back-to-back superb starts, and while Garrett has been struggling in Triple-A, I haven't forgotten what he did in April. Now he needs to find that again. Robert Stephenson -- fresh from his 11- game in 5 2/3 innings on Friday -- is also showing signs of clicking.

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 or its clubs.

Reds reinstate Turner, option Wallach By Matt Kelly / MLB.com | August 28th, 2017 + 2 COMMENTS The Reds reinstated catcher Stuart Turner from the paternity list Monday, while also optioning fellow backstop Chad Wallach to Triple-A Louisville.

Turner, 25, missed the past three games for the Reds for the birth of his child. He'll return to back up while Devin Mesoraco continues to recover from a left foot injury.

Turner has hit .164 in 28 games this season for Cincinnati, contributing one home run and five RBIs.

Matt Kelly is a reporter for MLB.com based in New York. Follow him on Twitter at @mattkellyMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of or its clubs.

Reds top pick Greene stellar in pitching debut Cincy's No. 2 prospect hits triple digits in scoreless inning By Daniel Kramer / MLB.com | August 28th, 2017 + 13 COMMENTS

Heralded as one of the game's top two-way Draft prospects in recent memory, Reds No. 2 prospect Hunter Greene had only shown what he could do with the bat until Sunday.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year's Draft, Greene made his much-anticipated pitching debut with the club's Rookie-level affiliate on Sunday, tossing 15 pitches, nearly all fastballs sitting in the upper-90s and touching triple-digits. It was his first live action since being shut down in April ahead of the oncoming Draft.

"He was 99 and 100 [mph]," Mustangs pitching coach Seth Etherton told MiLB.com. "That's what I had on our gun here. He averaged 100 in terms of all his fastballs. He had a max of 20 pitches. We're going to slowly build him up. He'll pitch again in five days, and I think the pitch count will go up incrementally from there. We're just going to break him in slowly, he's been doing a great job and getting accustomed to pro-ball lifestyle."

Greene, touted for impressive command for an 18-year-old, completed just one inning, but he made the high-profile impression most had envisioned. After giving up a leadoff single, the right-handed flamethrower, ranked No. 21 on the Top 100 Prospects list, induced a fielder's choice to No. 8 Brewers prospect Tristen Lutz, picked him off at first, then punched out 17th-ranked KJ Harrison looking.

"He just turned 18 and there's a lot of room for growth and strength," Etherton told MiLB.com. "That'll come with time. He threw one breaking ball that he kind of left up, but he really doesn't need to use it now. We'll see what happens in the next start, maybe he'll start mixing in some other pitches.

"He was dominant," Etherton said. "I think all [of the pitches] were at the knees. His ability to repeat his delivery and direction downhill, it was very impressive for a young man of his age. He's very poised very competitive and he's fun to watch."

Having already donned the cover of Sports Illustrated with the hype and marketability as one of the more eccentric Draft prospects this year, Greene had been widely recognized as one of the top talents among the 2017 crop. He likely would've been a first-round pick for his bat alone -- he's 7-for-30 with two doubles and a triple in rookie ball -- though he was selected for his pitching ability, and was given a record $7.23 million in an above-pick value bonus by the Reds upon signing.

At Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., Greene went 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA this spring. He hit 101-102 mph in some showcases, and mixes in two breaking balls. Scouts are reportedly apprehensive about the spin he generates on his slider but believe it will at least be average at the MLB level. Greene didn't use his often in high school, but he has the ability to go to it when needed.

Daniel Kramer is a reporter for MLB.com based in Denver. Follow him on Twitter at @DKramer_. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Reds will have to get creative to address holes this winter Zach Buchanan, [email protected] Published 4:24 p.m. ET Aug. 28, 2017 | Updated 4:41 p.m. ET Aug. 28, 2017

The currently have a payroll of about $95 million, which is a bit higher than normal for a rebuilding team. They could need to go even higher next year if they’d like to address some significant holes this winter.

If the last three years have taught the Reds anything, it’s that they need reliable starting pitching. There’s still a month to go in the 2017 season, but it’s hard to find any pitcher currently in the organization who can be counted on to pitch 200 quality innings next season.

Homer Bailey’s injury history is too expansive, and both Brandon Finnegan and Anthony DeSclafani will be coming off lost seasons because of their own health issues. Beyond them are a bunch of rookies and prospects who by their very definition lack any track record of sustained major-league success.

Because of that – and because the position player core seems ready to compete now – the Reds plan to add some starting pitching in the offseason. They would like to acquire a pitcher of a higher caliber than , who between his base salary and performance bonuses made $4 million this year before requiring knee surgery last week.

“We’d like to get the most talented player we can get,” said Reds general manager Dick Williams. “We’ll just have to see what that money level is. I think we’d rather concentrate our resources on fewer players that have a chance to be more impactful for us than we do going out and getting a bunch of low-dollar guys.”

The money coming off and on the books this offseason won’t leave much wiggle room, even though the Reds are losing nearly $29 million in salary from this year’s team. That includes the $13 million still being paid to Brandon Phillips, as well as the salaries of free-agents-to-be in Feldman, Zack Cozart and Drew Storen. It also includes the money already paid to relievers Blake Wood and Tony Cingrani, who are now pitching elsewhere.

That would seem like a big chunk of savings, but almost all of it will be eaten up by raises paid out to players already on the roster. Nearly $12 million in raises are guaranteed in the long-term deals of , , Devin Mesoraco and . On top of that, Billy Hamilton and Scooter Gennett will make more money in their second year of arbitration eligibility, and DeSclafani, Eugenio Suarez, Tucker Barnhart and will be arb-eligible for the first time.

Williams said some cash should be left over by the time all those raises are doled out, but it could be less than the nearly $8 million the Reds ultimately spent on Feldman and Storen, their free-agent additions this year.

“If we’re going to make any significant additions,” Williams said, “we would have to hear from ownership that payroll is going up.”

If the Reds determine they don’t have the cash for a significant addition, they could explore the trade market. Williams signaled that the team is ready to start looking for major-league pieces that can help the Reds transition into their competitive window, as opposed to additions intended only to help an uncompetitive squad make it through a full season.

Williams said that’s a viable avenue “even if that meant giving up something from our system.” It’s also possible the Reds could move a controllable major-league asset. The success of top prospect could make Eugenio Suarez a movable piece, and the Reds probably have at least three big-league corner outfielders – , Scott Schebler and Adam Duvall – for only two spots.

Williams said he’s not eager to deplete that depth, and that the Reds thought they had pitching depth this year until suddenly they didn’t. But fixing a bigger big-league hole by trading from an area of big-league depth would make sense.

“I think we’d be open to moving an asset of value if it were the right under-control pitching asset to strengthen us,” he said.

BAR: How many innings left for young Cincinnati Reds starting pitchers? C. Trent Rosecrans, [email protected] Published 10:29 a.m. ET Aug. 28, 2017 | Updated 11:42 a.m. ET Aug. 28, 2017

The Blog Above Replacement a daily look at the Reds, their minor leagues and whatever else is on the mind of Enquirer Reds beat writers, C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan. You can follow them on Twitter (@ctrent and @ZachENQ), Facebook (C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan) and Instagram (ENQReds).

Right-hander Luis Castillo looked anything but tired or worn out on Saturday, but the one constant for the Reds this season has been long-term plans over short-term gains.

Castillo has now thrown 157 2/3 innings between Double-A and the big leagues this season, 26 more innings than he’s ever thrown as a pro. Last year in the Marlins’ system, the right-hander threw 131 2/3 innings, up from 107 the year before. Reds manager Bryan Price said he’d like for Castillo to up his innings by 30-35. Price said that wasn’t a hard cap, but it could mean he has only one or two starts remaining.

Castillo’s not alone in facing innings limits, as many of the young pitchers who have started games for the Reds this season could be coming up against some kind of innings limits.

Here’s a look at where some of these pitchers fall with total innings across all levels this year and last year:

PITCHER 2016 TOTAL INNINGS 2017 TOTAL INNINGS Sal Romano 156 102 Robert Stephenson 173.2 93 Rookie Davis 125 92.1 Ariel Hernandez 62 64 Cody Reed 120.2 114.1 Barrett Astin 117.1 56.1 Jackson Stephens 151.1 138.1 Amir Garrett 144.2 114 150.2 149.1 Luis Castillo 131.2 157.2 Wandy Peralta 83 58 Asher Wojciechowski 85.2* 84.2 * Wojciechowski threw 160 innings 2013 and 115 1/3 in 2015.

ICYMI

• Tyler Mahle showed promise in his debut.

• Speaking of debuts, Hunter Greene made his pro pitching debut last night in Billings.

Minor League Roundup

Triple-A: Toledo 3, Louisville 0: RHP Jackson Stephens allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings with three walks and six . DH Hernan Iribarren was 2 for 4. [Box]

Double-A: Mississippi 5, Pensacola 2: RHP Keury Mella allowed just three hits in six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. SS Blake Trahan was 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Top prospect Nick Senzell was ill and missed his second straight game after leaving Friday’s game early. [Box]

High-A: Florida 5, Daytona 4, 7 innings: RHP Jonathan Crawford allowed four earned runs (five total) in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts. LF Shane Merdirosian was 2 for 2 with an RBI. SS Alfredo Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with an RBI. [Box]

Low-A: Dayton 2, Great Lakes 0: RHP Tony Santillian threw six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and a walk. He struck out five. 3B Taylor Sparks had a double and drove in a run, while CF Jose Siri was 2 for 3 wih three stolen bases, giving him 44 on the season. [Box]

Rookie: Billings 4, Helena 2: Hunter Greene made his big-league debut, pitching one inning and allowing a hit and nothing else. He struck out a batter, as well. #B Leandro Santana and SS Jeter Downs were both 3 for 3. Santana hit his 10th home run of the season, a three-run homer. [Box]

1. It’s tough watching what is going on in Houston right now. I lived in Corpus Christi for four years, so I was pretty tense about the entire situation on Friday, and thanks to Facebook, I know most of my friends there are OK. Now I see what’s going on in Houston and that knot is still there.

I like what Astros manager A.J. Hinch said before Monday’s game, from the Houston Chronicle’s Jake Kaplan:

"Even talking about game situations, I mean it's just so hollow," Hinch said before Sunday's win. "There is an emptiness in the thought that we would play in Houston (this week). Me personally, I don't like it, but I understand that we are sometimes an escape from the rain, an escape from the tragedies, an escape from what's going on around us. But the safety of everyone is number one."

2. A New York Times reporter in Houston writes about the flooding in his own house.

3. The photos and videos from Houston are just heartbreaking. [Chron.com]

4. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, a paper I grew up reading, has done phenomenal work throughout the storm, updating its main story constantly. They've done a remarkable job throughout the storm. Kudos to the people there.

5. Bless this Houston TV crew from KHOU that helped save a man’s life. [The Daily Beast] WCPO - Channel 9 Sports Vault: 20 years ago, Jr. got a shot with the Reds -- but it wasn't meant to be One start, 11 games total, then back to the minors John Fay | WCPO contributor 5:00 AM, Aug 29, 2017 6 hours ago

CINCINNATI -- Pete Rose Jr. says it feels like yesterday -- well, except for the fact that he's walking around on a new left knee.

It was actually 20 years ago when Pete Jr., the eldest son of Pete, spent a month in the big leagues with the Reds.

"Twenty years," Rose said. "It flies by."

Rose earned the promotion with a breakout year for Double-A Chattanooga. He hit .301 with 25 home runs and 99 RBI. Rose had been a middling minor-leaguer before that big year.

Rose was drafted in the 12th round by Baltimore in 1998, out of . He had modest success in the low minors.

The Orioles traded him to the Chicago White Sox in 1991. Then Cleveland made him a Rule 5 pick in 1994. But the Indians released him rather than keep him on the big league roster. He re-signed with the White Sox, and they released him after he hit .243 with three home runs and 44 RBI in 108 games in '96.

Rose signed with the Reds as a minor league free agent in the winter of '96. Then came the big year for Chattanooga. He got the call to the big leagues when rosters expanded on Sept. 1.

"As a player, it means everything," he said. "That's what your goal is. It meant more to me because I grew up here. I remember getting the call. I went to the ballpark the same way me and my dad did. I came in the same way, walked out the same way, watched the game the same way.

"It's crazy that it's 20 years. But it's something I'll never forget. It was awesome."

The Reds in 1997 were finishing up a rough year. Jack McKeon had taken over for Ray Knight as manager in July.

Rose clearly had the numbers to warrant it. But if his name were Pete Smith, the call would not likely have come. Jim Bowden, the general manager at the time, was not above making moves for publicity's sake. The next year, he called up Stephen Larkin so the Reds could start an infield of Barry and Stephen Larkin with Bret and Aaron Boone.

McKeon, however, was not so fond of the Rose move. But McKeon started Rose at third base on the day of the call-up.

Rose went 1-for-3 with a walk. He thought that would lead to more playing time.

"I had a good start," he said. "I thought I'd play the next day. I ended up sitting, and I went into a pinch-hitting role. I remember (hitting coach Ken Griffey Sr.) pulling me aside and saying, 'Keep your head up.'"

That start on Sept. 1 was the only one Rose got. McKeon had been skeptical about Rose's defense from the start. When Rose took over at third base in the fifth inning of a blowout on Sept. 6 and made two errors, his fate was sealed.

His last nine appearances were as pinch-hit. He went 0-for-9.

The Reds brought him back in 1998 as a minor league agent. He hit .254 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 71 games for Chattanooga. He ended the year in independent ball.

Rose would get a couple more shots in the minors. He played until 2009, 21 years in all. His left knee had to be replaced in 2012.

Rose played for 24 different minor-league teams, from Winnipeg to Guasave of the Mexican League. He played 1,933 minor-league games in all.

But 11 games in the majors, for his hometown Reds, his fathers' team, stand out.

Rose is still in the game. He manages the Wichita Wingnuts, an independent team.

"I'm trying to get a way to manage in the big leagues some day," he said. "You've just got to keep at it." DAYTON DAILY NEWS Notes from Reds’ 5-2 loss to Pirates on Sunday Gabriel Burns 11:06 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2017 Sports Facebook Twitter Share 0 SPORTS

John Minchillo/AP first baseman Josh Bell, left, puts out Cincinnati Reds' Billy Hamilton at first in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

The Reds fell to the Pirates 5-2 in rookie starter Tyler Mahle’s debut.

Mahle was steady – pitching five innings and allowing three runs – but the Reds offense was stalled by Jameson Taillon.

Some notes provided by Reds PR:

It was the fifth consecutive game started by a Reds rookie, the longest streak of 2017.

Joey Votto’s on-base streak ended at 29 games on Saturday. His response: reaching base five times on Sunday.

Votto tied the club record with five walks, previously done four times. He did so himself once before in 2013 against the Mets. It was his fourth career appearance with at least four walks.

The Pirates’ Adam Frazier, who was Mahle’s first strikeout victim, left the game with right hamstring discomfort.

No assists from Adam Duvall on Sunday, but he notched his 13th the day before, the most since Jay Bruce’s 13 in 2013. ESPN.COM Rumor Central: One or two more starts for Reds' Luis Castillo? Luis Castillo has a 3.26 ERA in 13 starts for the Reds since being promoted in June. 12:27 PM ET ESPN.com

With his place in the Cincinnati Reds' 2018 rotation apparently secure, Luis Castillo probably will make one or two more starts before being shut down for the year.

Rumor Central

Castillo has made the most of his rookie audition, posting a 3.26 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 13 starts, including seven strong innings against the Pirates on Saturday. “He’s not only pitched really well in our system in Double-A, but he’s continued to pitch well and get better during his time in the big leagues. For me, he’s a guy that’s in our rotation,” Reds manager Bryan Price told Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Castillo has pitched a combined 157 2/3 innings between the majors and minors after working 131 2/3 frames last year. “The Reds have said they’d like him to eclipse that previous mark by 30-35 innings, which would give him one or two more outings,” writes Buchanan.

Price told reporters he is considering a six-man rotation for the short term as a way to give audition time to rookie pitchers. That could change once Castillo is done for the year.

- Doug Mittler TRANSACTIONS 08/28/17 Colorado Rockies activated 1B Ian Desmond from the 10-day disabled list. Texas Rangers sent LHP Jake Diekman on a rehab assignment to Frisco RoughRiders. optioned RHP Erick Fedde to Syracuse Chiefs. optioned RHP Kevin McGowan to Las Vegas 51s. Tampa Bay Rays optioned RHP Chih-Wei Hu to Durham Bulls. Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Eric Skoglund to Omaha Storm Chasers. Kansas City Royals recalled LHP Brian Flynn from Omaha Storm Chasers. Atlanta Braves sent RHP Luke Jackson on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Braves. New York Yankees sent 1B Garrett Cooper on a rehab assignment to Trenton Thunder. Pittsburgh Pirates recalled LF Jordan Luplow from Indianapolis Indians. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Johnny Barbato to Indianapolis Indians. Pittsburgh Pirates placed 2B Adam Frazier on the 10-day disabled list. Right hamstring strain. Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Dovydas Neverauskas from Indianapolis Indians. Tampa Bay Rays designated 3B Taylor Featherston for assignment. Tampa Bay Rays activated RHP Matt Andriese from the 60-day disabled list. Toronto Blue Jays recalled RHP Leonel Campos from Buffalo Bisons. Toronto Blue Jays designated LF Norichika Aoki for assignment. Cleveland Indians sent OF Lonnie Chisenhall on a rehab assignment to Columbus Clippers. Cleveland Indians sent OF Abraham Almonte on a rehab assignment to Columbus Clippers. Washington Nationals optioned CF Rafael Bautista to Syracuse Chiefs. Washington Nationals optioned CF Andrew Stevenson to Syracuse Chiefs. Washington Nationals transferred 3B Stephen Drew from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Abdominal strain Washington Nationals activated RHP Max Scherzer from the 10-day disabled list. Washington Nationals activated LF Jayson Werth from the 60-day disabled list. Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP Mike Wright to Norfolk Tides. Baltimore Orioles recalled LHP Donnie Hart from Norfolk Tides. Cincinnati Reds activated C Stuart Turner from the paternity list. Cincinnati Reds optioned C Chad Wallach to . Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Dan Altavilla to Tacoma Rainiers. Seattle Mariners selected the contract of RHP Christian Bergman from Tacoma Rainiers. Chicago Cubs sent RHP Justin Grimm on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs sent SS Addison Russell on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs. Colorado Rockies optioned CF Raimel Tapia to Albuquerque Isotopes.