Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings March 27, 2016

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THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1989 - Sports Illustrated publishes a story about Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose's gambling activities. Rose will eventually agree to a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball as part of an agreement with Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti.

MLB.COM

Hamilton, Reds outslug Frazier, White Sox By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | + 22 COMMENTS

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Camelback Ranch was not kind to either Carlos Rodon or Brandon Finnegan during Saturday afternoon's 9-7 victory for the Reds over the White Sox.

Rodon cruised through the first inning on five pitches, and Finnegan struck out the side during the opening frame. But fortunes quickly improved for the hitters.

The Reds scored four in the second on five hits, including a three-run home run from Ivan De Jesus Jr. De Jesus finished a triple short of the cycle.

But the White Sox broke free for six in the fourth to claim a 7-4 lead. Adam Eaton singled home two, while Jimmy Rollins and Hector Sanchez each delivered an RBI single. Jason Coats walked with the bases loaded to force home another run.

That advantage didn't last long, as Adam Duvall lofted a three-run homer to left in the fifth to forge a tie. Rodon was lifted by manager Robin Ventura after De Jesus singled and Jordan Pacheco walked, with the Reds eventually scoring five in the frame, two on Billy Hamilton's double.

Todd Frazier knocked two hits for the White Sox playing against his former club, adding a run scored.

Finnegan allowed seven runs (six earned) over 3 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and four walks. He struck out six.

Rodon yielded 10 hits and nine earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking two.

Sanchez replaced Alex Avila in the top of the fourth, with Avila leaving due to lower back stiffness. Avila is day to day.

Up next for White Sox: Mat Latos makes his second Cactus League start, in a rematch from Tuesday against the Giants and starter Jake Peavy. The game begins at 3:05 p.m. CT in Scottsdale.

Up next for Reds: Cincinnati has a 4:05 p.m. ET game Sunday against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Alfredo Simon gets his second start of the spring. Simon has been the Reds' best starter since signing as a free agent on March 17, pitching three innings of shutout, no-hit ball and striking out four on Tuesday vs. the Cubs.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin, on Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Reds rotation still murky after Melville's outing By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com | 8:30 PM ET + 0 COMMENTS

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds rookie right-hander Tim Melville is vying to make the 40-man roster and claim a spot in the starting rotation. And because of trades and injuries, which have damaged the club's pitching staff, the situation seems to be just right for him.

"I'm here for whatever they need me to do," Melville said after pitching six innings as the Reds defeated the Indians, 7-4, on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark. "Starter, relief. It doesn't matter. I'm just trying to go out there and get better every day."

If Melville should make the team, the 2008 fourth-round Draft pick of the Royals will make his first regular-season Major League appearance after 141 at every level of the Minor Leagues.

Melville allowed seven hits and four runs against the Indians, all of them on a trio of Cleveland homers hit by Yan Gomes, Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana. The latter two were struck back-to-back deep to right field with two outs in the sixth.

The Reds signed Melville as a Minor League free agent this past Nov. 25. There's a chalkboard in manager Bryan Price's office replete with the names of all the players still in camp. As a non-roster invitee, Melville's name is etched in orange. The players on the roster are written in black.

Price has been trying in vain to determine at least a semblance of a starting rotation and announce his starter for the season opener against the Phillies in Cincinnati on April 4. Nothing that's happened the last few days is making it any easier.

"The pitchers haven't been pretty to watch," Price said in perhaps the understatement of the day. "We're giving up a lot of runs. I do think the pitchers are going to pitch better when they understand they are on the team and do have even a loosely defined role. That should help in their preparation and performance instead of saying, 'Boy, I hope I don't go in there, screw up and lose a spot on the team.'"

The homer has been an epidemic of sorts for Cincinnati pitchers the last few days. They've allowed 10 homers in games against the Rangers, Rockies and Indians, eight of them off starters Anthony DeSclafani, Raisel Iglesias and Melville.

Reds manager Bryan Price discusses some of the decisions remaining as his Opening Day lineup and pitching rotation take shape

Brandon Finnegan started in a 9-7 split-squad Reds win over the White Sox on Saturday at Camelback Ranch. And though Finnegan didn't give up any homers, he was shellacked for seven runs (six earned) on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings to bring his spring ERA to 10.05.

Because of trades last season that dispatched veterans Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake, the Reds have been utilizing their starting rotation as a tryout camp ever since the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. They set a record by starting a rookie every day from that point to the end of the season, losing 43 times in their final 62 games.

"And that was very painful," Price said.

This spring, as Homer Bailey is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last May 8, the Reds have also lost pitchers Michael Lorenzen (sore right elbow) and Jon Moscot (intercostal strain) to injury.

To compensate, they've already added free agents Alfredo Simon and Ross Ohlendorf, whom they signed Saturday. Simon will make his second spring start on Sunday against the Dodgers, and Ohlendorf is targeted for the bullpen.

Moscot is slated for his first start since March 8 on Monday night.

What's a manager to do? The Reds' baseball brain trust seemed no closer to figuring this whole thing out on Saturday than they were at the end of the day on Friday.

"Oh, boy, that's a fair assessment," Price said. "We've chopped up that rotation and how to dispense the slots a hundred different ways, and we're still trying to figure out who's going to be healthy enough, stretched out enough to start the season in our rotation.

"I'd love to tell you who my five starters are and who's in the bullpen, but I think I'd be reckless to do so because I'm not sure I can stick by my word. There's just been a lot of flies in the ointment. It's been a challenge."

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Cozart's three RBIs help Reds top Indians By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com | 6:43 PM ET + 12 COMMENTS

GGODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds prevailed in the Showdown of Ohio on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark, coming from behind to defeat the Indians, 7-4, offsetting a trio of Cleveland homers.

Yan Gomes, Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana all homered off Reds rookie right-hander Tim Melville, making his pitch for both a spot on the 40-man roster and in the starting rotation.

Napoli and Santana went back-to-back with two out in the top of the sixth to erase a 3-2 Cincinnati lead.

But Zack Cozart doubled home a pair of runs in the seventh off Indians reliever Cody Allen to again give the Reds the edge as they scored four times in the inning.

Eugenio Suarez homered and Blake Trahan doubled off Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two wild pitches, one of them allowing a run to score in the fifth inning.

Melville worked six innings, pitching in and out of jams, allowing the four runs on seven hits, walking none and striking out five.

The homers for Gomes and Napoli were their fourth each of the spring.

"I felt strong, throwing strike one and getting ahead," Melville said. "I thought I threw really well."

Up next for Indians: Right-hander Cody Anderson is scheduled to take the mound on Sunday, when the Indians host the Brewers in a 4:05 p.m. ET Cactus League clash at Goodyear Ballpark. Cleveland's battle for the fifth spot in the rotation is down to Anderson and righty Josh Tomlin. Relievers Kyle Crockett, Jeff Manship and Joba Chamberlain are also penciled in to pitch for the Tribe.

Reds sign Ohlendorf to one-year deal Ohlendorf strikes out Colabello 0:12 By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com | 1:40 PM ET + 75 COMMENTS

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds have signed free agent right-hander Ross Ohlendorf to a one-year Major League contract and will use him initially in the bullpen, manager Bryan Price said on Saturday morning.

"Right now, I just want to get him in and get a feel [for where he is]," Price said. "I know he hasn't been stretched out like a starter. In our current state I don't think we can get him ready to start. I might need him there for a game, but more than anything I need him in the bullpen."

Ohlendorf has passed his physical and the Reds didn't have to make room for him on the 40-man roster. They are currently at 39 active players.

Price and the club's baseball hierarchy are still trying to determine a five-man rotation to open the season.

The third-year manager has yet to name a starter for the season opener against the Phillies in Cincinnati on April 4, although it likely will be right-hander Anthony DeSclafani.

Ohlendorf was in camp with the Royals this spring and opted out of his Minor League contract. He was released on Wednesday. He made eight relief appearances, allowing six earned runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out 10 in his nine innings pitched.

Price said he didn't think Ohlendorf has pitched enough innings to start at this point and that's the primary reason he'll go to 'pen.

"I don't believe we have the time," said Price, who's club breaks camp after a game here against the Indians on Thursday. "We've looked at this season as an evolution of our young position players, but even more so our young pitchers. That's going to come sequentially.

"Our challenge is to get other pitchers into that bullpen that are reliable to get to [closer] J.J. [Hoover]. And I think that's why Ross is attractive, at least to me right now, as a relief pitcher even though he has value as both."

Ohlendorf has pitched in the Majors for five teams, most recently as a reliever for the Rangers last season when he was 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA with a save and 19 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings (21 appearances).

He last started exclusively for the Pirates from 2009-2011 and made seven starts for the Nationals in 2013. He missed the entire 2014 season because of a back strain and was released by Washington after that season.

Considering injuries to projected Reds starters -- including Homer Bailey rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and not expected back until May 1 -- the Reds may continue to scan the market and waiver wire for available starters.

Price said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the Ohlendorf signing.

"In our situation we always want to look to improve our club, but we have to be fiscally responsible," Price said. "There are limitations on what we are capable of doing."

Rotation hopefuls -- Michael Lorenzen (sore elbow) and Jon Moscot (intercostal strain) -- are also both seemingly out of the picture for the first weeks of the season, at this point.

Moscot, who hasn't pitched in a live game since March 8, is expected to start here in a Monday night game against Milwaukee. Price said he hopes to give Moscot two starts before the start of the regular season, although Moscot opening in the rotation right now seems unrealistic.

The Reds play a pair of exhibition games against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on April 2-3.

"For [Moscot] to pitch where I anticipated him starting in the rotation, a lot of good things would have to happen," Price said.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Reds see Frazier for first time in White Sox uniform C. Trent Rosecrans, [email protected] 10:20 p.m. EDT March 26, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. — As soon as Todd Frazier was announced over the PA at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, Billy Hamilton caught himself cheering on the White Sox third baseman.

Hamilton, serving as the Reds’ DH in Saturday’s split-squad game against Chicago, had been cheering on Frazier for years, and the old habit was hard to break.

“It was in my head, ‘C’mon Fraz,’” Hamilton said laughing. “I had to catch myself. This (guy) is on a different team. It’s different. He’s just one of those guys everybody wants to be like — he plays the game the right way, he plays with a lot of heart. It’s good to see him and see him doing well.”

But it was odd for pretty much everyone in the dugout on the third base side to see Frazier decked out in the white and black of the White Sox, who acquired him in a three-team deal with the Dodgers this offseason.

With the Reds rebuilding, they sent Frazier to Chicago, garnering three prospects from the Dodgers, who in turn received three prospects from the White Sox. The return was headlined by Jose Peraza, who had two hits in the Reds’ other split-squad game in Goodyear on Saturday and is hitting .319 this spring.

The move confused many Reds fans and saddened more. It did the same to Frazier.

Frazier, who went 2-for-3 on Saturday and is hitting .356 on the spring, said it took a good week for the trade to really settle in this winter. A big part of that was a conversation he had with Reds CEO Bob Castellini at Redsfest about his desire to stay with the team despite the team’s rebuilding process. Less than two weeks later, Frazier was dealt.

Two days after the trade, Frazier’s wife, Jackie, gave birth to a daughter, Kylie.

“I couldn’t really fathom it until basically like four or five days until I got home from the hospital,” Frazier said. “I was like, ’Hon, I guess we’re on a new team now.’ She said she’d forgotten all about it. You worry about your daughter, that she’s healthy. It probably took me a good week (to come to terms with the trade).”

As both teams have nearly a full spring under their belts, Frazier is not just adjusted to his new surroundings, but also excited about his new squad.

"Once I got in this clubhouse, everything went out the window," Frazier said. "I’m with a new team, new chapter. I’m very happy to be with this club and we’ve connected oh so well. It’s nice to see and refreshing."

The White Sox have quickly taken a shine to Frazier, as he’s been the same outgoing player he was in Cincinnati, and his on-field production has been as advertised in the Cactus League.

“Personality-wise, he likes to have fun, but he’s all business when he comes down to it,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura told Chicago reporters recently. “He’s been a good addition for us, not only playing third base and the talent he has to play the game but all of the intangibles that come with him. He’s a good piece. He fits in any part of the clubhouse, whether it’s English or Spanish. He fits in any realm of that clubhouse.”

The Reds, of course, don’t have to be told that. They know Frazier and know what they’re missing — both on the field and off.

“He did a tremendous job here with us, and we miss him, he’s a great kid and tremendous player,” Price said. “It’s hard to see your guys go to another team, but it’s part of the business, unfortunately.”

That made it bittersweet for Price — who said he watched Frazier closely during Saturday’s 9-7 Reds victory — to see Frazier in a White Sox uniform. He watched Frazier spin his glove on his finger, yap it up with opponents and teammates alike, and also smack a couple of singles.

Price wasn’t alone in watching Frazier. Devin Mesoraco was part of the same draft class as Frazier in 2007, along with Zack Cozart. Mesoraco and Frazier played together in Dayton and Louisville before both made their big-league debuts in 2011.

“It was weird. Definitely weird,” Mesoraco said. “I don’t ever remember pitching against him. It was kind of the same, we were just talking like we normally talk.”

The two talked with Frazier at the plate, and also met twice at third base as Mesoraco went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Frazier said he was greeted at the ballpark with a jumbo-sized hug from Jumbo Diaz, and also got to spend plenty of time talking with third-base coach Billy Hatcher.

“I was basically talking to everybody as they came to third base and in the dugout, as well,” Frazier said. “It was good to see familiar faces.”

The feeling was mutual.

“It was good to see the guy,” Hamilton said, “but I don’t think he looks good in that black and white.”

Hamilton isn’t alone in Reds country in that opinion.

Cincinnati Reds add veteran Ross Ohlendorf to bullpen C. Trent Rosecrans, [email protected] 4:43 p.m. EDT March 26, 2016

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds’ regular-season bullpen picture is a bit clearer on Saturday with the signing of right-hander Ross Ohlendorf to a one-year, big-league deal, but only a little bit.

J.J. Hoover is the team’s closer, but the exact composition of the pitchers to get to Hoover is still to be determined as the Reds enter their final week in Arizona.

Ohlendorf, 33, was released by the Royals on Wednesday. Ohlendorf had agreed to a minor-league deal with the Royals in February and had eight appearances with Kansas City this spring. Ohlendorf allowed five runs in two innings in his first two outings, but then just one earned run in his last six outings, including five scoreless.

Ohlendorf had a clause in his contract that allowed him to request a release if he wasn’t going to make the big- league team out of spring training. He exercised that on Monday, with the Royals officially releasing him on Wednesday.

According to Ohlendorf, he had more than one offer of a big-league deal, but chose the Reds.

“I just felt like it was a good opportunity where I could pitch meaningful innings and help young guys if the opportunity presents itself,” said Ohlendorf. “I remember playing against the Reds when they were really good, so if I can help in getting the team back there, it’d be something I’d really like to be a part of.”

A Princeton graduate, Ohlendorf has pitched parts of eight seasons in the big leagues, including four in Pittsburgh from 2008 to 2011. With the Pirates, he was a starter and then he pitched both as a starter and reliever with the Padres and Nationals in 2012 and 2013. After an injury-filled 2014, he pitched in 21 games for the Rangers last season during the regular season and three more in the playoffs, including one save. Last season he was 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 21 appearances and 19 1/3 innings for Texas.

“At this point, I just think about being a reliever,” Ohlendorf said. “I enjoyed starting when I did, but I’m enjoying reliving and feel like that’s where I’m meant to be now.”

Reds manager Bryan Price said Ohlendorf will help solidify his bullpen and immediately becomes the senior member of the bullpen. Price is reticent to name Ohlendorf his main setup man for Hoover, but there aren’t too many options at this point. Left-hander Tony Cingrani may be the only other pitcher who has a spot in the bullpen sewn up, with Jumbo Diaz not too far behind.

“His experience and ability lends itself to being a guy that can pitch late in a game, without question. I don’t want to assign a role quite yet. I’d like to get him settled in and get a game or two under his belt before making any kind of designations as far as what roles our bullpen guys are going to fill in particular. It still seems like we’re a long way away from defining our bullpen.”

But not as far as they were on Friday

Cincinnati Reds come from behind to beat Cleveland Indians Reds Blog Zach Buchanan, [email protected] 7:44 p.m. EDT March 26, 2016

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Cincinnati Reds scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh, coming from behind to beat the Cleveland Indians on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark.

THE ARMS

RHP Tim Melville looked strong for most of the six innings he pitched, although two solo home runs surrendered with two outs in the sixth uglied his final line. Melville was charged with four runs – three on solo homers – on seven hits, bringing his Cactus League ERA to 5.71.

But those numbers obscured what was actually a strong outing. After giving up a leadoff double to start the game, Melville recorded 10 consecutive outs. He escaped jams in both the fourth and fifth, and recorded five strikeouts against no walks. Three of those punch-outs were of the looking variety.

“I executed a lot of my breaking pitches for strikes,” Melville said. “I got ahead early and threw strike one a lot.”

Unless fellow RHP Jon Moscot stretches out to miraculous effect over the final week of spring training or the team adds another pitcher before breaking camp, Melville could wind up beginning the season in the big-league rotation. That would be quite the accomplishment for the career minor-leaguer in camp as a non-roster invitee.

RHP Blake Wood pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed no runs, his first scoreless outing in Cactus League play. He left the game with runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth, but LHP Tony Cingrani coaxed a flyout to end the inning. Wood was signed out of the minors for a guaranteed $600,000 and is out of options.

Cingrani also pitched a perfect ninth.

THE BATS

3B Eugenio Suarez stroked a solo home run, his second in Cactus League play. 2B Jose Peraza, SS Blake Trahan and LF Scott Schebler each had two hits, and DH Zack Cozart drove in three runs.

THE REST

Peraza stole a base and later scored from third on a wild pitch, robbing 1B Joey Votto – who singled on the next pitch – of an all-important RBI opportunity. Trahan made a fantastic play on a slow roller up the middle, diving for the stop and throwing to first to nab Indians CF Rajai Davis to end the fifth and save a run.

UP NEXT

RHP Alfredo Simon will make his second Cactus League start Sunday when the Reds meet the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time this spring in Glendale. Simon will face off against Japanese import Kenta Maeda, and will be followed by RHPs Dayan Diaz, Ryan Mattheus and Drew Hayes. The game will be broadcast on MLB Network and WLW 700 AM at 4:05 p.m. Eastern.

Ivan De Jesus Jr., Adam Duvall power Reds to 9-7 victory over White Sox C. Trent Rosecrans, [email protected] 7:43 p.m. EDT March 26, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Reds’ split-squad team followed a six-run bottom of the fourth by the White Sox with five runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead and hold on for a 9-7 victory at Camelback Ranch.

THE ARMS

Starter Brandon Finnegan looked great in the first 3 1/3 innings, but didn’t retire any of the next six batters before being taken out of the game by Reds manager Bryan Price. Finnegan walked three — including one batter with the bases loaded — and gave up four singles in the inning. He allowed a total of seven runs (six earned) on six hits with six strikeouts and four walks over 3 1/3 innings.

“He just lost the feel — he had a really nice mix of three pitches for three innings, using them all, heavy use of his change-up today, which was a priority pitch for him,” Price said. “He had some good sliders and fastballs, had good downward action on his sinker and then things got sideways in the fourth to get him out of the inning, find that ground ball to get him out of it. It’s always a learning process out here. It’s a step in the right direction after the last start, but we want him to make pitches in that big inning to get out of it and get him into that fifth or sixth inning. We’re going to have to get him stretched out the next game. I was hoping to get him closer to season-ready today and I think we’re going to have to really prioritize that in the next start or we won’t have done our job to get him ready.”

Caleb Cotham and JC Ramirez both added 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Reds. Cotham allowed two hits and struck out three, while Ramirez didn’t allow a baserunner and struck out a batter.

THE BATS

Two Reds — SS Ivan De Jesus Jr. and LF Adam Duvall — were a triple shy of the cycle. Both players had three- run homers off of White Sox starter Carlos Rodon — De Jesus in the first and Duvall in the fifth. Three other Reds — C Devin Mesoraco, 1B Jordan Pacheco and RF Yorman Rodriguez — each collected a pair of hits. Billy Hamilton had a two-run, ground-rule double in the fifth.

THE REST

The Reds recorded a rare 8-4 putout on a fielder’s choice in the fifth when Jimmy Rollins had to hold up on Jerry Sands’ flare to center field. Reds CF Tyler Holt charged the ball and appeared to be able to make the play, causing Rollins to go back toward first base. The ball dropped in for a hit, and Holt was able to get the ball to Brandon Phillips in time for the force out.

UP NEXT

The Reds travel to Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday to face the Dodgers. RHP Alfredo Simon will make his second start of the spring for the Reds. RHP Kenta Maeda will start for the Dodgers. Also scheduled to appear for the Reds are RHP Dayan Diaz, RHP Ryan Mattheus and RHP Drew Hayes. The game will be broadcast live on MLB Network and WLW 700 AM at 4:05 p.m. Eastern.

Pedro Villarreal happy for health, spring results Zach Buchanan, [email protected] 4:35 p.m. EDT March 26, 2016

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Cincinnati Reds right-hander Pedro Villarreal is fighting for a spot in the bullpen, but he’s not exactly rushing for the bullpen door.

Last season, Villarreal injured his finger when the bullpen gate closed on it. Pitching injured all spring, he posted a 13.00 ERA in nine innings.

“This year, I’ve stayed away from the bullpen door,” Villarreal said. “I let everybody else open it. ‘You can open it, and I’ll be in the middle.’ I don’t touch it at all.”

Villarreal has all five fingers at his disposal this year, and unsurprisingly he’s had a better spring. In 11 innings over seven appearances, he has a 2.45 ERA. Four of his outings have been of the multi-inning variety, which could be important since the team could need more than one long reliever.

The 28-year-old Villarreal, in camp on a minor-league deal, worked on keeping his delivery in line and not flying open. He’s spent parts of the last four seasons in the majors and posted a 3.42 ERA in 50 innings last year, but has yet to make an Opening Day roster.

He could be on the verge of accomplishing that, and doing it with the Reds would make it even more special.

“Just the tradition in Cincinnati with everything that goes on, that would be an exciting thing to be a part of,” Villarreal said. “Not just making the team, but enjoying and taking it all in as far as all the festivities and what it means for the city of Cincinnati.”

No bat knob decals

Infielder Ivan De Jesus Jr. has personalized decals on the knobs of each of his bats, depicting the flag of his native Puerto Rico along with his initials. According to new regulations handed down by Major League Baseball, such stickers are now against the rules.

Players may only use the team design on their bats or a standard design with their jersey number. “There’s a lot of people using it now,” De Jesus Jr. said. “Last year there were a lot of people asking me where to find it because they want them with their flag and their name.”

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Duffy has decals featuring the Duffman character from The Simpsons. New York Mets starter Matt Harvey has a personalized decal riffing off his nickname as “The Dark Knight.”

De Jesus said the decals cost about $100 for 25 stickers, which is certainly not a financial burden when the minimum big-league salary is more than half a million dollars. Still, De Jesus Jr. said he has a new order of decals coming that he’ll try and cancel to save money.

He plans to use the ones he has already, at least until someone forces him to stop.

“I’m going to try to use it until they tell me something,” he said. “If they tell me something, I’ll take it off.”

Non-roster chances

The Reds’ 40-man roster currently stands at 39 after the addition of reliever Ross Ohlendorf, but manager Bryan Price could easily see the organization having to clear a few spots to make room for non-roster players in camp.

Relievers like Villarreal, Ryan Mattheus, Drew Hayes and Dayan Diaz could help fill out the bullpen, while right- hander Tim Melville could start in the rotation. Jordan Pacheco could make the team as a utility player who could also serve as a third catcher.

“There are chances we could have more than one,” Price said.

That might mean risking losing someone else on the roster to waivers. The team has several pitchers working back from injuries, but none have recovery timelines that would make them candidates to go on the 60-day disabled list

TRANSACTIONS Date Transaction 03/26/16 Baltimore Orioles released RHP Dale Thayer. OF Keenyn Walker assigned to Chicago White Sox. IF Erick Mejia assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. LHP Jeff Ibarra assigned to San Diego Padres. C Ricardo Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres. OF Alan Garcia assigned to San Diego Padres. IF Fernando Perez assigned to San Diego Padres. RHP Jose Hernandez assigned to Houston Astros. IF Danny Worth assigned to Houston Astros. CF Donnie Dewees assigned to Chicago Cubs. Atlanta Braves optioned Ryan Weber to Gwinnett Braves. Minnesota Twins optioned John Hicks to Rochester Red Wings. OF Jerrick Suiter assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. OF Casey Hughston assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. SS Alfredo Reyes assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. C Deybi Garcia assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. RHP Henry Hirsch assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. New York Yankees optioned James Pazos to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Washington Nationals sent Tyler Moore outright to Syracuse Chiefs. Colorado Rockies optioned David Hale to Albuquerque Isotopes. Texas Rangers optioned Chi Chi Gonzalez to Round Rock Express. RHP Jeff Ames assigned to Tampa Bay Rays. CF Zach Sullivan assigned to Miami Marlins. OF Jeremias Pineda assigned to Miami Marlins. 2B Avery Romero assigned to Miami Marlins. RHP Kyle Keller assigned to Miami Marlins. Baltimore Orioles optioned Christian Walker to Norfolk Tides. LHP Jared Miller assigned to Arizona Diamondbacks. 1B Viosergy Rosa assigned to Oakland Athletics. Cleveland Indians optioned Giovanny Urshela to Columbus Clippers. Cleveland Indians optioned Erik Gonzalez to Columbus Clippers. Cleveland Indians optioned Joey Butler to Columbus Clippers. Cleveland Indians optioned Austin Adams to Columbus Clippers. Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Ross Ohlendorf. OF Aaron Barbosa assigned to Seattle Mariners. OF Aldemar Burgos assigned to San Diego Padres. 2B Daniel Bravo assigned to San Diego Padres. LHP Michael Kirkman assigned to San Diego Padres. RHP Colby Blueberg assigned to San Diego Padres. OF Ariel Sandoval assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. 2B Jimmy Allen assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. 3B Paul Hoenecke assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. C Gersel Pitre assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. RHP Karch Kowalczyk assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers. 2B Stephen Cardullo assigned to Colorado Rockies. RHP Kelvis Valerio assigned to Chicago White Sox. RHP James Dykstra assigned to Chicago White Sox. RHP Tristan Archer assigned to Milwaukee Brewers. 1B Toby Thomas assigned to Chicago White Sox. RHP Heath Wyatt assigned to St. Louis Cardinals. SS Andrew Sohn assigned to St. Louis Cardinals. RF Blake Drake assigned to St. Louis Cardinals. OF Ed Charlton assigned to Cincinnati Reds. RHP Nick Pasquale assigned to Cleveland Indians. RF Drew Vettleson assigned to Washington Nationals. RHP Luis Torres assigned to Washington Nationals. RHP Derek Self assigned to Washington Nationals. 1B Jose Marmolejos-Diaz assigned to Washington Nationals. SS Jose Lozada assigned to Washington Nationals. RHP Cody Gunter assigned to Washington Nationals. RHP Alex Smith assigned to New York Yankees. RHP Matt Marsh assigned to New York Yankees. RHP Jonathan Holder assigned to New York Yankees. RHP Giovanny Gallegos assigned to New York Yankees. OF Franklin Guzman assigned to Boston Red Sox. SS Jose Vinicio assigned to Boston Red Sox. OF Rashad Brown assigned to Detroit Tigers. C Luke Carlin assigned to Detroit Tigers. OF Sebastian Elizalde assigned to Cincinnati Reds. 2B Tony Renda assigned to Cincinnati Reds. RHP Jimmy Herget assigned to Cincinnati Reds. OF Ryan Nagle assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. OF Stetson Allie assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. C Jin-De Jhang assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. RHP Nick Neumann assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. Detroit Tigers optioned Steven Moya to Toledo Mud Hens. Detroit Tigers optioned Dixon Machado to Toledo Mud Hens. New York Yankees optioned Nick Rumbelow to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Atlanta Braves optioned Ian Krol to Gwinnett Braves.