Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings July 19, 2018 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1985-The Reds trade Duane Walker and Jeff Russell to the Rangers for Buddy Bell. Bell will spend four seasons with the Reds, collecting a .266 batting average, with 63 doubles, 43 home runs, 184 RBI and 185 walks with just 118 strikeouts MLB.COM Reds end first half hot, but '19 is still main focus Cincinnati's surge helps avoid need for bigger-scale rebuild; Harvey likely to be flipped By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Jul. 18th, 2018 CINCINNATI -- It seems quite the contradiction that the Reds are both in fifth place in the National League Central and one of the hottest teams in the Major Leagues. Yet that's exactly where Cincinnati is with a 43-53 record at the All-Star break. The situation is much more optimistic than when the season started. Manager Bryan Price was let go after a 3-15 record, and interim manager Jim Riggleman was brought in on April 19. The Reds have gone 40-38 under Riggleman. While Riggleman deserves credit, he also benefitted from the return of Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler from the disabled list and Joey Votto rebounding from a slow start. The rotation -- aided by the healthy return of Anthony DeSclafani and the acquisition of Matt Harvey -- has found a groove. Since June 10, the Reds' 21-10 record is best in the National League. While their postseason hopes remain a long shot, there is still plenty of time for the club to feel like it salvaged 2018 and that it built something towards contending in '19. Here are where things stand for the Reds at the All-Star break, with the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaching on July 31: Current status: Seller This fact should be qualified, somewhat. Had the April start continued that trajectory throughout the first half, the Reds would be huge sellers and looking to start the rebuild over. President of baseball operations Dick Williams recently told MLB.com the club would still look to make moves for the short-term and long-term future, but Cincinnati is clearly not prepping for a fire sale. What they are seeking Starting pitching. If this rebuild has taught the Reds anything, it's that even the best projections for young starters don't always pan out immediately -- or at all. Several of the young, promising starters that were expected to be come into their own in 2018 simply haven't. Luis Castillo and Sal Romano have endured inconsistency throughout this season. Tyler Mahle had a sensational June but had more than a few bumps early on. Amir Garrett has proven to be most effective out of the bullpen and has largely thrived as a reliever. After a rough start and demotion, Brandon Finnegan is at Triple-A Louisville converting to a reliever. Robert Stephenson and Cody Reed are also with Louisville. What they have to offer The Reds have a few attractive trade chips and only one key player in Harvey who is not under club control for 2019. Although it now appears Scooter Gennett is unlikely to be dealt, the Reds will try to flip Harvey to capitalize on his value increase since coming from the Mets in May. Relievers like Raisel Iglesias, Jared Hughes and David Hernandez have cost-effective contracts. Outfielders Billy Hamilton and Adam Duvall could also potentially be had. Possible scenario It only seems like a matter of time before the Reds flip Harvey for a better return after they got him from the Mets for catcher Devin Mesoraco on May 8. Since the trade, he is 5-3 with a 3.64 ERA and 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA over his last five starts. A free agent at season's end with postseason experience, he would be a rental for a contending club needing a complementary but effective piece in their rotation. Harvey is back to throwing up to 96 mph and would probably net at least one quality prospect in return. Reds lose Schebler to DL with shoulder sprain By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Jul. 18th, 2018 CINCINNATI -- One of the hotter hitters in the Reds' lineup will open the season's second half on the disabled list. On Wednesday, Cincinnati placed outfielder Scott Schebler on the 10-day DL, retroactive to Sunday, with a sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint in his right shoulder. Schebler was forced to exit Saturday's 8-2 win over the Cardinals after he collided with the wall to make a catch, and while initial X-rays came back negative, Wednesday's diagnosis forced the club's hand. It was not known how long Schebler is expected to be out. A corresponding roster move will be made prior to Friday night's game against the Pirates at Great American Ball Park. This season, Schebler is batting .278/.351/.470 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs. But he was batting .319 in his last 36 games going back to May 30. With Schebler out, the Reds' four-man outfield rotation will now have three regulars with Jesse Winker likely to get the bulk of the playing time in right field. Wednesday's move marks Schebler's second trip to the DL this season. He missed 10 games in April with an ulnar nerve contusion in his right elbow after he was hit by a pitch from the Nationals' Sean Doolittle. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Reds Hall of Fame Induction Gala features star-studded lineup Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 6:17 p.m. ET June 15, 2018 | Updated 10:18 p.m. ET July 18, 2018 The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame is expecting a star-studded lineup for its induction gala on July 22 - including six of the Big Red Machine's "Great Eight" and several of its pitchers as well as National Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin in addition to other former Reds greats. With Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez from the "Great Eight," the number of National Baseball Hall of Famers on the list scheduled to appear is four, and the total of Reds Hall of Famers is 21. (Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Pete Rose are the others from the "Great Eight" scheduled to attend.) Starting pitcher Fred Norman and manager Dave Bristol join Adam Dunn in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum's Induction Class of 2018. Tickets are available here. Bristol and Norman were selected by the Hall's Veterans Committee, comprised of Hall of Famers, Reds executives, Hall of Fame board members, baseball historians and media members. Dunn was selected last November by a combination of a fan vote, Reds alumni and votes from select media members. Scott Rolen named Indiana University Baseball director of player development Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 6:00 p.m. ET July 18, 2018 Former Cincinnati Reds All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen is the new Indiana University Baseball director of player development, the team announced on Wednesday. Rolen played for the Reds from 2009 to 2012 and helped the team to a National League Central title in 2010. Rolen was a two-time All-Star with the Reds. He won a Gold Glove in his best season as a Red and hit .285 with 20 homers and 83 RBIs. More from iuhoosiers.com about hiring Rolen: As the Director of Player Development, Rolen will assist with on-campus recruiting in accordance with NCAA rules. In addition to collaborating with the coaching staff when preparing for practice and competition, he will also give valuable advice to players on lifestyle choices and making informed decisions when pursuing pro baseball careers. "I couldn't be more excited to add Scott Rolen to our staff," said Mercer. "The impact Scott will have on the student athletes in our baseball program will be unique among college programs. The value for the staff and players, gaining knowledge daily from someone with such a historic career and who truly values the growth of young people, is special." In his first year on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, Rolen earned votes on 10.2 percent of 422 ballots cast by active members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Election requires 75 percent, but he did get more than the five percent needed to avoid falling off the ballot. The Reds traded for Rolen in July of 2009, sending Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Reds were the last team for which Rolen played. He hit .281 with 316 home runs in 17 seasons for the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Reds. Among the Hoosiers' most successful former baseball players of late has been former Middletown High School standout Kyle Schwarber, who reached the Home Run Derby final by hitting a derby semifinal-record 21 homers on Monday. Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Scott Schebler on the disabled list with shoulder injury Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 3:45 p.m. ET July 18, 2018 When the Reds return from the All-Star break on Friday, they will be without one of their usual leadoff hitters. Scott Schebler was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. The move was retroactive to Sunday. Schebler exited Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals after he fell into the right-field wall while making a catch in the sixth inning. After recording the out, with a runner on second base, Schebler flipped the ball from his back to center fielder Billy Hamilton.