CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Nick Senzel felt sick Sunday, a day after a teammate went on the injured list because he tested positive for COVID-19.Moustakas and Senzel missed the final game of a series against Detroit, which the Tigers won 3-2. Moustakas went on the injured list and is out indefinitely. Senzel was originally in the lineup but was scratched after he reported feeling sick.The developments came a day after Reds infielder Matt Davidson went on the injured list because he tested positive for the coronavirus. Davidson was the Reds' designated hitter in their season opener on Friday night, when Moustakas drove in four runs for a 7-1 win.Manager David Bell said Moustakas didn't feel well when he woke up Sunday morning and was told to stay home as a precaution.“This is all new," Bell said of the uncertainty. “As everyone knows around the world right now, it's a big deal, what we're all dealing with. So from that standpoint, it's new.“On... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas went on the injured list Sunday after he woke up feeling sick, and center fielder Nick Senzel was a late scratch from Cincinnati's lineup for the final game of a series against the Detroit Tigers.The moves came a day after Reds infielder Matt Davidson went on the injured list because he tested positive for COVID-19. Davidson was the Reds DH in their season opener on Friday night, when Moustakas drove in four runs for a 7-1 win.Manager David Bell said Moustakas didn't feel well when he woke up Sunday morning and was told to stay home as a precaution.“If there’s any doubt, you’ve got to stay home," Bell said.There was no immediate explanation for why Senzel was scratched about an hour before the scheduled start of the game.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tigers first. Niko Goodrum strikes out swinging. Jonathan Schoop singles to shallow infield. Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging. C.J. Cron doubles to deep left field. Jonathan Schoop scores. Christin Stewart walks. Jeimer Candelario pops out to shortstop to Eugenio Suarez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 0.Reds first. Jesse Winker grounds out to shallow center field, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron. Joey Votto homers to right field. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to shortstop, Niko Goodrum to C.J. Cron. Mike Moustakas singles to center field. Nick Castellanos grounds out to third base, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 1.Reds second. Shogo Akiyama grounds out to shallow right field, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron. Nick Senzel walks. Freddy Galvis homers to right field. Nick Senzel scores. Curt Casali lines out to left field to Christin Stewart. Jesse Winker grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron.2 runs, 1 hit,... [More]

Reds first. Phillip Ervin walks. Joey Votto singles to right field. Phillip Ervin to second. Eugenio Suarez hit by pitch. Joey Votto to second. Phillip Ervin to third. Nick Castellanos hit by pitch. Eugenio Suarez to second. Joey Votto to third. Phillip Ervin scores. Mike Moustakas singles to right field. Nick Castellanos to second. Eugenio Suarez to third. Joey Votto scores. Matt Davidson pops out to shallow infield to C.J. Cron. Nick Senzel reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Mike Moustakas to second. Nick Castellanos to third. Eugenio Suarez out at home. Freddy Galvis grounds out to shallow infield, Niko Goodrum to C.J. Cron.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Reds 2, Tigers 0.Reds third. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to shortstop, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron. Nick Castellanos doubles to deep left center field. Mike Moustakas singles to deep left center field. Nick Castellanos scores. Matt Davidson grounds out to shortstop. Mike Moustakas out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Hitters in bright red shirts slapped batting-practice pitches to all parts of the recently mowed field. A mash-up of disco, rap and Motown reverberated through empty Great American Ball Park for background music.Looked and sounded like baseball, all right. Felt very different in many other ways.“It's weird,” Reds first baseman Joey Votto said.The city that produced baseball's first professional team started getting ready for its first 60-game season Friday amid new precautions and fresh concerns about how the experiment would work.The Cincinnati Reds held their first team workout since spring training was called off because of COVID-19 in March, trying to pull together again while keeping safely distant.“It does not feel normal,” manager David Bell said Friday before the workout. “I wish it did. In a lot of ways, we feel prepared, for sure. But you’re kind of going into the great unknown. There’s some excitement to that. There’s some anxiety to it.”The original 2020 schedule... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Trevor Bauer thinks his decision to tip pitches for a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during a spring training game and the resulting attention are good for baseball.The Cincinnati Reds' outspoken starter signaled pitches to the Dodgers' Matt Beaty during a game on Monday. Bauer flicked his glove toward the catcher before each pitch — a sign a fastball was coming — and Beaty eventually lined out to center field.Bauer has criticized the Houston Astros over their sign-stealing. Major League Baseball's investigation found Houston broke rules by using electronics to steal catchers' signs en route to their 2017 World Series title and again in 2018.Bauer told reporters on Wednesday he was just having fun, and the pitch tipping wasn't intended to help the team that lost to the Astros in the World Series.“It wasn't team-specific,” Bauer said. “I did it a couple times last season in games. There are a lot of interesting outcomes from it, psychologically and competitively. Spring... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Trevor Bauer thinks his decision to tip pitches for a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during a spring training game and the resulting attention are good for baseball.The Cincinnati Reds' outspoken starter signaled pitches to the Dodgers' Matt Beaty during a game on Tuesday. Bauer flicked his glove toward the catcher before each pitch — a sign a fastball was coming — and Beaty eventually lined out to center field.Bauer has criticized the Houston Astros over their sign-stealing. Major League Baseball's investigation found Houston broke rules by using electronics to steal catchers' signs en route to their 2017 World Series title and again in 2018.Bauer told reporters on Wednesday he was just having fun, and the pitch tipping wasn't intended to help the team that lost to the Astros in the World Series.“It wasn't team-specific,” Bauer said. “I did it a couple times last season in games. There are a lot of interesting outcomes from it, psychologically and competitively. Spring... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Eugenio Suárez was playing in a swimming pool with his children at home in Pinecrest, Florida, and decided to dive into the shallow half. The Cincinnati Reds third baseman hit the bottom of the pool and wound up with a shoulder injury that has set him back in spring training and left his availability uncertain for opening day.“I tried to dive in headfirst,” Suárez said. “My hands hit first first and then my shoulder felt like a pop.”Suárez tore cartilage in his right shoulder and had surgery Jan. 28. For the start of spring training, Suárez was limited to conditioning work while his throwing shoulder healed.He's progressed to taking infield practice, playing catch and hitting in the batting cage. It's unclear how long it will be until he can play in a game.“I feel better every day,” Suárez said.The Reds are counting upon the 28-year-old to be a top contributor in an offense that was near the bottom of the NL in runs last season.Suárez's 49 homers last year were a... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Sonny Gray had an All-Star season despite soreness in his throwing elbow. Surgery has left him pain-free heading into his second season with the Cincinnati Reds.The right-hander pitched with bone chips all season but managed to make 31 starts. He had the bone chips removed after the season.“It was hard to think that he wasn't completely healthy last year, based on the kind of year he had,” manager David Bell said. “He's definitely confident coming off of last season. It's just a mindset knowing that he's healthy and you had something taken out of his elbow. It has freed him up even more not only with mechanics but his mentality.”Cincinnati aquired him from the New York Yankees and Gray agreed to a contract that added $30.5 million from 2020-22 and includes a 2023 club option.He went 11-8 with a 2.87 ERA, making the NL All-Star team along with teammate Luis Castillo. Gray (205) and Castillo (226) became the first Reds with at least 200 strikeouts in the same season.Gray... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos has 17 career at-bats in Great American Ball Park. Six times, he reached base on a hit. Three times, he touched them all after putting the ball in those oh-so-close outfield seats.It's a small sample size, but it makes the Cincinnati Reds' new outfielder eager to find out how that translates over an entire season.Castellanos signed a $64 million, four-year deal with the Reds, matching the biggest in franchise history for a free agent. The former Tigers and Cubs slugger likes the way the Reds are going all out to try to emerge from their six-year losing streak.He also likes the way the ball carries in their small, hitter-friendly park.“Just some places you feel good, others not so good,” Castellanos said Tuesday at an introductory news conference. “I guess so far, I feel good every time I swing the bat at this ballpark. So I'm excited to be able to play 81 games for a season here.”Castellanos provides another significant boost to an offense that prevented... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos has 17 career at-bats in Great American Ball Park. Six times, he reached base on a hit. Three times, he touched them all after putting the ball in those oh-so-close outfield seats.It's a small sample size, but it makes the Cincinnati Reds' new outfielder eager to find out how that translates over an entire season.Castellanos signed a $64 million, four-year deal with the Reds, matching the biggest in franchise history for a free agent. The former Tigers and Cubs slugger likes the way the Reds are going all out to try to emerge from their six-year losing streak.He also likes the way the ball carries in their small, hitter-friendly park.“Just some places you feel good, others not so good,” Castellanos said Tuesday at an introductory news conference. “I guess so far, I feel good every time I swing the bat at this ballpark. So I'm excited to be able to play 81 games for a season here.”Castellanos provides another significant boost to an offense that prevented... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos has 17 career at-bats in Great American Ball Park. Six times, he reached base on a hit. Three times, he touched them all after putting the ball in those oh-so-close outfield seats.It's a small sample size, but it makes the Cincinnati Reds' new outfielder eager to find out how that translates over an entire season.Castellanos signed a $64 million, four-year deal with the Reds, matching the biggest in franchise history for a free agent. The former Tigers and Cubs slugger likes the way the Reds are going all out to try to emerge from their six-year losing streak.He also likes the way the ball carries in their small, hitter-friendly park.“Just some places you feel good, others not so good,” Castellanos said Tuesday at an introductory news conference. “I guess so far, I feel good every time I swing the bat at this ballpark. So I'm excited to be able to play 81 games for a season here.”Castellanos provides another significant boost to an offense that prevented... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos has 17 career at-bats in Great American Ball Park. Six times, he reached base on a hit. Three times, he touched them all after putting the ball in those oh-so-close outfield seats.It's a small sample size, but it makes the Cincinnati Reds' new outfielder eager to find out how that translates over an entire season.Castellanos signed a $64 million, four-year deal with the Reds, matching the biggest in franchise history for a free agent. The former Tigers and Cubs slugger likes the way the Reds are going all out to try to emerge from their six-year losing streak.He also likes the way the ball carries in their small, hitter-friendly park.“Just some places you feel good, others not so good,” Castellanos said Tuesday at an introductory news conference. “I guess so far, I feel good every time I swing the bat at this ballpark. So I'm excited to be able to play 81 games for a season here.”Castellanos provides another significant boost to an offense that prevented... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos signed a $64 million, four-year deal Monday with the Reds, Cincinnati's latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing.The deal allows Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 or 2021 seasons. He gets salaries of $16 million in 2020, $14 million in 2021, and $16 million in 2022 and 2023. There's a mutual option for 2024 at $20 million with a buyout of $2 million.It was the fourth significant move by the Reds, among the most active teams in free agency since their sixth consecutive losing season.“This is an off-season where we have prioritized adding to the offensive side of the club,” said Dick Williams, president of baseball operations. “Nick was one of the most attractive options on the market. He has been a consistently elite producer offensively and that complements our existing team well.”The Reds have has committed $164 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.Cincinnati... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos agreed to a $64 million, four-year deal in the Cincinnati Reds' latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't announced the deal, which would allow Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 or 2021 seasons. If he cuts the deal short after one year, he would receive $16 million.It was the fourth significant move by the Reds, among the most active teams in free agency since their sixth consecutive losing season. The Reds have has committed $174 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.Cincinnati signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year contract and added left-handed starter Wade Miley on a $15 million, two-year deal. Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal.Castellanos'... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos agreed to a $64 million, four-year deal in the Cincinnati Reds' latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't announced the deal, which would allow Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 season.It was the fourth significant move by the Reds, among the most active teams in free agency since their sixth consecutive losing season. The Reds have has committed $174 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.Cincinnati signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year contract and added left-handed starter Wade Miley on a $15 million, two-year deal. Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal.Castellanos' deal raised the offseason total of contracts negotiated by agent Scott... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos agreed to a $64 million, four-year deal Monday in the Cincinnati Reds' latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't announced the deal, which would allow Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 season.It's the fourth significant move by the Reds, who have been among the most active teams in free agency since they wrapped up their sixth consecutive losing season. Cincinnati has committed $174 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.The Reds signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year deal and added left-handed starter Wade Miley on a $15 million, two-year deal. Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal.The Reds' biggest weakness last season was offense. They... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Shogo Akiyama knew the Cincinnati Reds were the only Major League Baseball team that never had a player born in Japan. The chance to break a barrier was part of his impetus to sign.Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal this week with the Reds. They introduced him Wednesday at Great American Ball Park, where the five-time Japanese All-Star figures to play one of the outfield spots and bat high in the order.“The fact that they’ve never had a Japanese player was something that was very attractive, and their presentation was impressive," Akiyama said, through translator Roger Kahlon. "It made me want to play here.”The Reds scouted the 31-year-old outfielder for the last few seasons in Japan's Pacific League and made the biggest push to sign him when he became a free agent, which also made an impression.“We were the first team to approach him, the first to give him scouting materials, the first team he met with at the winter meetings and the first to offer him a contract,”... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Outfielder Shogo Akiyama agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, the only major league team that hasn't had a player born in Japan.Akiyama, 31, became a free agent after his ninth season with the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League, where he was a five-time All-Star. The center fielder could move to one of the corner spots in Cincinnati's unsettled outfield.Akiyama gets $6 million this year, $7 million in 2021 and $8 million in 2022.Center fielder Nick Senzel is returning from surgery on his right shoulder, and the addition of Akiyama gives the Reds another option at that spot. They also have outfielders Aristides Aquino, Jesse Winker and Phillip Ervin."We scouted Shogo for several years in anticipation of his free agency," said Dick Williams, Cincinnati's president of baseball operations. “We like his approach at the plate as well as his outfield defense, and we think he will complement our team very well.”It's the second significant offseason... [More]