From Mark Sheldon:
— Bronson’s been diagnosed with mono.
Although valley fever was ruled out, the diagnosis was mononucleosis. The Reds pitcher, via text message, said he still did not expect to miss any starts as a result.
Because of the fatigue factor, would it be better putting him on the DL or just assuming the bullpen can pick up the slack? Would the Reds likely put him on the DL if they didn’t have 2 other starting pitchers starting the season there?
— Rolen’s out for a few days.
Reds third baseman Scott Rolen was scratched from Friday’s original lineup because his left elbow was still sore from being hit by a pitch on Thursday.
“He can’t extend,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said.
Dusty says he won’t play today and probably tomorrow. Says that this might change the last roster spot between Valaika, Francisco, Hermida, and Lewis.
— Hernandez was a late scratch yesterday with his elbow. (A day after being cleared by Doc Hollywood.)
— Reds likely to make cuts today and Monday.
There will be some tough decisions coming. Dave Sappelt, who is batting .564 this spring after a pinch-hit double on Friday, is a non-roster player. So is outfielder Jeremy Hermida and bullpen candidate Dontrelle Willis.
“The major problem we have here is the number of non-roster guys here with not much roster space,” Baker said.
*** This is not in the Sheldon article. But does it bother anyone else that they didn’t MRI Bailey’s shoulder? If I had an investment of this value, I’d want to be sure EXACTLY what the problem is. I simply don’t understand this thinking.
— Additional info: Ex-Red Chris Dickerson was dealt yesterday from the Brewers to the Yankees for Sergio Mitre.