The Cincinnati Reds leave Arizona to fly to Milwaukee where they will play two games against the Brewers to wrap up spring training on the 23rd and 24th. That’s less than a week from now and the team still has 34 healthy players in camp and need to get that down to 26 for Opening Day. Three players still in camp have been told they won’t be making the roster but could remain in big league camp for now, so the decisions are down to five players. One of those players is not right-handed pitcher Hagen Danner. Cincinnati sent the non-roster invitee to minor league camp this morning.
It’s been a good spring for Danner, who signed a minor league deal with the Reds in January that included an invite to big league spring training. In his first outing of the spring he gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of work. Over the next eight outings he allowed one run on four hits and a walk in 7.2 innings that saw him strike out nine batters. In a tough Cactus League for pitchers he had a 3.12 ERA in his nine outings for Cincinnati while coming out of the bullpen to go along with his three walks and 10 strikeouts over 8.2 innings pitched.
With Danner now out of the equation for a spot in the bullpen and the Reds announcing yesterday that they would be using three pitchers (Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson) in some sort of rotating, situational two guys will start and one guy will relieve once a week kind of thing but those roles are likely to be split up and changed for all three of them early in the season, there’s only one spot in the bullpen left for a reliever.
The remaining relievers vying for that final job are Zach Maxwell, Luis Mey, and Sam Moll. Among that group only Moll is out of options. That could come into play.
Update at 12:26pm ET
Mark Sheldon of Reds.com is now reporting that Kyle Nicolas has been told he would be optioned to Triple-A on Sunday.
(original story continues below)
Kyle Nicolas, who was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier in March has been playing in the World Baseball Classic and with Team Italy making it deep into the tournament he has yet to actually pitch this spring for the Reds. He only pitched in two games with the Pirates before heading off to the WBC, but he had two shutout appearances before he left. He allowed two runs in 1.2 innings with Team Italy.
Sam Moll has a shiny 0.00 ERA this spring in his eight outings. He’s only given up two hits in 8.0 innings and he’s struck out 10 batters. But he’s also walked six hitters as he’s struggled a little to consistently throw strikes.
Zach Maxwell has also struggled to throw strikes this spring with any consistency. The 25-year-old has pitched in eight games and allowed four earned runs in 7.1 innings (4.91 ERA) while giving up eight hits. He’s walked six batters, but he’s countered that with 12 strikeouts. He gave up a run in each of his first four outings but has not given up a run in the most recent three. Four of his six walks came in his first spring game, but he’s walked just two in the 6.2 innings since then.
Luis Mey has an ERA sitting at 13.50 through seven outings this spring. He’s given up 10 hits and walked three batters in 6.0 innings while striking out eight. His struggles were early in spring, giving up five runs in his first outing and then four runs and two walks in his third outing. Since then he has made four appearances without a walk, picking up three strikeouts, and being charged with just one unearned run.
I liked the Danner pickup and he very well could see some time in Cincinnati this year.
They can go ahead and send down Mey and Maxwell in my opinion, unless they just want them as camp bodies through the last spring training games.
Guessing the Ferguson injury has bought Moll time, as well.
Likely to keep another lefty in there.
At this point, I’d bet Moll – use him or lose him. As for the bench, that’s a little tougher, but I’m leaning toward Lowe with Bleday and Hinds heading to Louisville. I had thought Benson would be the odd man out, but left-handed bat and the Reds continual optimism that Benson will turn into Aaron.
I understand your point but Aaron in 1954 (his rookie year) was a lot like Benson in 2023. Benson in 2024 somewhat similar but much lower BA than Aaron in1954.
Difference OT, Aaron was 20. Benson is nearing 28.
I imagine Nicholas might be questioning his decision to play in WBC of course he didn’t know he would be traded.
The Louisville bullpen could be pretty crowded. As far as Mey’s numbers I imagine the numbers for the last three appearances are more important than the first three.
I doubt many — if any — players are questioning their decisions to play in the WBC, especially those from countries that played in the semifinals. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in an incomparable baseball environment. Nicolas and others have six months to earn a call-up to what are always very fluid rosters.
Unless his life has only three years left he might get another shot. However his shot to get to the magic 10-year mark for a lifetime full pension might be more time valuable than a lifetime opportunity to play in a tournament for free for an adopted country.
Pretty sure he took everything we could possibly imagine into account — and more. I respect every single player who chose to participate, and even more for doing it for free. Love for country (even an “adopted” one as some might assume without ever talking to the man about his family) over love for money … it’s rare, which explains the passion we saw on the field and in the stadiums.
I like what I see from Nicolas when he faced WBC Champion Team Venezuela last Monday. I think he woud be in the Reds bullpen more sooner than later.
This was a long run from Danner only to be sent to the minors in this ST last week.. Guy has the stuff to be in the majors only he should throw a little more strikes and improve command…
Our pitching depth looks awesome. I’m sure that the above mentioned pitchers will all see action this year
I would think Moll makes the ODR; would hate to lose him for nothing. Best case, everyone is healthy & pitching well, and we can move him for a useful piece or middling prospect.
Looks like it’s going to be Moll, but none of the relievers should rest on their laurels as there are bound to be good pitchers in AAA vying for their jobs if they don’t perform.
It’s not a bad situation to be in, as the competition for spots in the pecking order will push all the players involved to be the best version of themselves. And with the usual batch of injuries, many of those players in AAA will get plenty of chances to show what they can do at the MLB level, and some will probably earn permanent spots.
If the Reds are in contention come July, I REALLY hope they can trade some spare parts for that missing left-handed outfield power bat. No offense to Lowe, Bleday, or Benson, but we need something better from the left-hand side of the plate.
I’m really interested to see how Brandon Williamson pitches. He was overall impressive in 2024, surprisingly so I think to most fans. Can he be that solid again, better, or was it because the league hadn’t really seen him he was good? Also is he better as astarter, or out of the pen? But, hopeful for him, it’s nice to have another solid lefty as well. He really helps the depth if he can pitch well.
With Greene probably going on 60-day IL, does Danner getting cut make the chances of Lowe getting the 40-man spot more likely?
For the last bullpen spot, it’ll just come to Moll to show if he can sustain it during the first couple of months or so. For the position players, Steve & Treviño; Sam, Lowe, McLain, KBH, Suarez & EDLC; Bleday, Myers, Friedl, Marte & Benson. No Steer, Hinds to AAA.
Who the heck is ” Sam ” ?? ?
Mod dropping in just as a reminder that we use language that would be acceptable by a 1st grade teacher here.
No Steer is NOT EVEN CLOSE to what will happen lmao
Just waiting for the real baseball games to start.
Go Reds!
Bleday or Lowe: Flip the coin. I am good with either one. I am ready for the season begin. McClain is back. Beware of the Reds NL Central!