Cincinnati Reds Starters Land On DL

Mar 25, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton reacts in the dugout against the Oakland Athletics at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Not exactly the start the Cincinnati Reds wanted. Three of their starters will start the season on the 15-day disabled list, not just any three starters either.

Mat Latos, Aroldis Chapman and Devin Mesoraco are the three big names leading the Reds disabled list to start the season. While Chapman will be on the DL for a few weeks after being hit in the head Latos and Mesoraco are looking to make this their only stint on the list.

Latos has already begun his rehab assignments, he has said he feels great and will be ready soon. Mesoraco is on the DL due to an oblique issue, one that is not expected to keep him out longer than needed. Mesoraco is eligible to return on April 5th which is a good thing, Mesoraco took batting practice this week and reported no problems. Tucker Barnhardt will back up Brayan Pena while Mesoraco is out.

While Mat Latos will be riding in the Opening Day Parade in Cincinnati he will leave the following day to make a rehab start in Pensecola on April 3rd for the Blue Wahoos. This is Latos’ first minor league start since 2009. Latos is on the DL for his knee, he had surgery early in Spring Training and has since been recovering. The Reds DL moves are retroactive to March 21st.

The aforementioned players are not the only players on the DL, Cincinnati starts the season with 8 players off the roster, the most in Major League Baseball. Joining the three are Sean Marshall, Jonathan Broxton, Skip Schumacher, Jack Hannahan and Brett Marshall.

It wouldn’t be Opening Day if the Reds didn’t have someone on the DL. It can only get better from here.