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I don’t want to detract from my ode to Bronson Arroyo, but the news is flying fast and furious today. There is a report from Josh Norris of Baseball America that Rookie Davis is going to be in the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day rotation:

If the report is accurate, Davis will begin his Rookie year in less than a week.

So, what do you think? Scott Feldman, Brandon Finnegan, Cody Reed, Rookie Davis, Bronson Arroyo? Maybe Robert Stephenson or Amir Garrett instead of Arroyo?

You tell me.

In addition, the Reds announced more roster moves, one of which was a bit surprising:

With Desmond Jennings being demoted, it appears that Patrick Kivlehan will be on the Opening Day roster. I thought Jennings was a pretty good bet to make the roster, especially given his ability to be a legitimate backup outfielder. I guess the Reds believe that Jose Peraza, Scott Schebler, and Arismendy Alcantara can handle the backup outfield duties if Billy Hamilton is unavailable.

The roster picture is becoming less blurry by the minute…

UPDATE: I may have jumped the gun on saying that Davis was in the rotation, as the tweet cited doesn’t actually say that. Of course, Davis’ dad — the Lamelo Ball of Baseball — says that Rookie will be starting on April 6.

18 Responses

  1. Chad Dotson

    I’m guessing he will exercise that opt out.

    I don’t really get why you’d get rid of Jennings in favor of Kivlehan, but what do I know. I do like Kivlehan as a bench bat. And we’re just talking about the end of the bench, so I find it hard to get too worked up.

  2. Jim Walker

    Happy for Rookie. I thought things might work out for him. He’s pitched as well as any of the candidates. He’s the politically correct choice (return on Chapman). Also, he is probably seen as the lowest eventual ceiling guy among the group of guys with no MLB experience; and thus, the least long term risk where service time issues come into play.

    • citizen54

      Ya, I think being the only who looks like he might be useful piece from the Chapman trade could have something to do with the decision, too. They might want Stephenson to show he can throw strikes and get more seasoning in AAA. You gotta think the final spot is between him and Reed. Knowing the Reds, Arroyo is already in even though he hasn’t shown much in the last 3 years. He could be this year’s Jason Marquis.

  4. scottya

    Im excited only because im going to that game and so selfishly i hope it’s true. But i really want the reds to play the service time game and save all they can.

  5. jveith1991

    That would make more sense. Let Arroyo pitch an inning here and there as the seventh or eighth member of the bullpen and let the prospects get the experience as starters.

    • Carl Sayre

      I have never been big on the veteran bench or bullpen guy! I will say however I am okay with BA on the 25 man roster for his “leadership” he can help these young pitchers understand “pitching” at this level instead of throwing! He also adds a specialty arm to the 25 man roster! He has never been the “stud” but until he went to Arizona was a big time contributor, yes he is older now and he has now had a major injury he does however have that cerebral approach to the game! He is a cheap risk!

  6. jveith1991

    Interesting that the Reds are starting Davis in the exact same spot in the rotation and against the same team that they started Stephenson in his ML debut last season.

  7. Jack

    Yeah thst 83 mph fastball isn’t going to fool anybody. Especially the second time through the lineup.

  8. Chad Dotson

    I’m really disappointed that no one complimented the sweet gif that I added to this post.

    • cfd3000

      I’m just now catching up on a flurry of RLN posts from the last couple days. I’m disappointed that you had to post your disappointment. I was almost at the end of the comments thinking I need to compliment Chad on the sweet GIF – surprised no one has. Sweet GIF Chad, but you stole my line. As for Rookie Davis, I’m not sure I believe that he’s got a slot ahead of Garrett. Stephenson, and even Reed, but I haven’t read all the stories yet…

  9. Mikel Johnson

    Okay…that was a sweet gif. Why the need to bash Rookie’s dad and call him the “Lamelo Ball of Baseball.” Talking to his hometown newspaper, who has reported regularly on Rookie since HS and throughout the minors, hardly puts him in the same category as an attention hound (nicer name than what I wanted to say) Lamelo Ball. Rookie comes from a great family and his father, Billy, is one of the nicest gentlemen you will ever meet.

    Good luck Rookie! I wish you nothing but the best!

  10. Mike Johnson

    Thanks for the response Chad. Go Reds!