What Will The Cincinnati Reds Roster Look Like?
By Matt Niehaus
Mar 13, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Jose Diaz (80) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning at Camelback Ranch. The Reds won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
It wouldn’t be Spring Training and Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds if there weren’t injuries that has everyone wondering who will be on the 40 man roster come March 31st. Cincinnati has seven days to decided who will be on the roster following a litany of injuries this spring. The starting eight position players we do know.
Let us start there with the starting eight, we’ll go around the diamond. Catcher: Devin Mesoraco, First Base: Joey Votto, Second Base: Brandon Phillips, Short Stop: Zach Cozart, Third Base: Todd Frazier, Left Field: Ryan Ludwick, Center Field: Billy Hamilton, Right Field: Jay Bruce. Those will be the starters come opening day, barring something drastic happening.
With Mat Latos starting the season on the disabled list that puts a kink in the starting rotation. The starting rotation for the Reds right now looks as follows. Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake, Tony Cingrani, and Alfredo Simon. Simon will come out of the pen and up to the rotation until Latos returns. Cueto appears to be manager Bryan Price’s favorite for Opening Day.
The bench for the Reds gets a little interesting. Backing up Mesoraco is Brayan Pena, that is a lock. Chris Heisey who has had a great spring will be on the bench backing up all three out fielders, Roger Bernadina will help out Heisey backing up the outfielders. Ramon Santiago and likely Chris Nelson will be on the bench backing up the infielders for the Reds.
When it comes to the bullpen Cincinnati has had its struggles there at times. With Aroldis Chapman on the DL following his hit to the head the Reds will be relying on the bullpen even more. JJ Hoover, Sam LeCure, Manny Parra, Logan Ondrusek, Pedro Beato, Nick Christiani, and Brett Marshall will likely be in the pen. Parra and Christiani are the pitchers that fans should have the most concern about.
The disabled list is full of big names. Mat Latos is still out, he should be back sooner rather than later. Aroldis Chapman is out 6-8 weeks while his head and eye heal following the plate insertion. Jack Hannahan is likely out 3 more months following off season shoulder surgery. Sean Marshall is still on the road to recovery and appears to be doing better. The newest offseason acquisition Skip Schumaker is out a month with a shoulder injury.
Cincinnati faces and uphill battle, like every season. This one though is going to test the heart of this Cincinnati club. Things could go either way this season, time will tell.