Cincinnati Reds Spring Training: Tony Cingrani Solid, Chris Carpenter Signing
By Adam Hughes
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News from the Cincinnati Reds‘ Spring Training camp on Friday centered around their pitching, which is not surprising considering that a) their middle relief tanked in 2014 and b) 40% of their starting rotation was shipped out of town this winter. The Reds got some movement on both fronts today, as Tony Cingrani made his Spring debut and Chris Carpenter signed a minor league deal.
Cingrani, hoping to lock down one of two open rotation spots, pitched two scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, AZ. He allowed two walks and a hit, but also struck out two batters to help the Reds to a 5-2 win. Cingrani’s performance was good news, even if the media tossed him to the side so they could focus on Jon Lester’s debut with the Cubs.
Cingrani began 2014 in Cincinnati’s rotation but struggled with health and performance, eventually being demoted to the minors. He spent significant time on the disabled list in both Cincinnati and Louisville with shoulder issues, and ended up making just 11 starts, posting a 2-8 record with a 4.55 ERA.
If Cingrani is healthy and effective, he could be a major boon to the rotation and would almost certainly replace the loss of Alfredo Simon, traded to the Detroit Tigers this off-season.
While Cingrani was doing his part to make the Reds feel better about their starting staff, the front office was busy beating the bushes in search of relievers. They apparently found one they like in the person of Chris Carpenter — no not THAT Chris Carpenter. THIS Chris Carpenter played in Japan in 2014, and before that, he spent two years with the Cubs and Boston Red Sox.
The Reds signed Carpenter to a minor league deal, according to Matt Eddy at Baseball America:
We might see a Chris Carpenter in affiliated ball again in 2015. #Reds sign 29-year-old version after he spent 2014 in Japan #TransactionsBA
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) March 6, 2015
In 18 Major League games, Carpenter owns a 1-0 record with a 5.17 ERA and 9.8 walks per nine innings. It’s the stuff of post-season dreams, Reds fans.