Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Update

Feb 15, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chien-Ming Wang during team workouts on the practice fields of Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For the Cincinnati Reds spring training has been relatively quiet and uneventful, just as it should be. The biggest news out of spring training so far has been the Homer Bailey deal and the Mat Latos knee surgery which was such a small surgery he’s already back to throwing. This has been the most uneventful spring training in some time.

With all this uneventfulness there have been a few minor things that the Reds and other media outlets have talked about so we’ll update you on that for the time being.

• One of the biggest stories of the past week has been the Reds ban on unkept facial hair. Players are allowed to have beards, mustaches, and goatees but they must be well kept. Meaning no Boston Red Sox Duck Dynasty beards from last season. Some people have made a big deal about this but the Reds have always kept a professional image. The Yankees allow no facial hair, don’t complain too much.
• First year manager Bryan Price said on Monday that he has given his team the green light for the spring training season. Price is encouraging his base runners to take chances, attempt steals. All of this is in hope that the Reds become better and stronger base runners. Billy Hamilton is obviously pleased with this.
• Chien-Ming Wang is excited to be back in spring training. The veteran right hander is happy to just be back in baseball. After elbow and foot problems that plauged his career the past 5 or so years the Taiwanese born player is looking to impress as spring training games start this week.

Wednesday afternoon marks the first spring training game for the Reds as they face fellow Goodyear, Arizona residents the Cleveland Indians. You can listen in at 3:05 on 700WLW in Cincinnati or watch at 5pm on MLB Network.