CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [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]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds hope their long-running search for a consistent leadoff hitter comes to an end with Shogo Akiyama.The first Japanese-born player in franchise history signed a three-year, $21 million deal during the offseason and is part of the team's extensive overhaul. Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos, Wade Miley and Pedro Strop were also added to end a streak of six straight losing seasons.But it's the 32-year-old Akiyama who might be the most intriguing. He was a consistent star in Nippon Professional Baseball over the past five seasons, hitting over .300 four times while flashing consistent power and providing stellar defense.If he can do something similar in Cincinnati, the Reds will be thrilled.“There's only 60 games and obviously the goal is to make the playoffs,” Akiyama said through an interpreter. “My personal goal is to play in every game so I just want to compete in every single game I play. That's what I want to bring.”Here's a look at 10 players to watch... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The experimental aspect of the Cactus League was fully on display Saturday when Reds right-hander Sonny Gray tossed a changeup on a 2-0 count, only to see his rare offering deposited by the Royals' Ryan McBroom over the center field fence at Surprise Stadium.It was part of a third inning in which Gray surrendered three hits before leaving the game with a strikeout -- also on a changeup."I just wanted to do it to see what would happen,'' said Gray, who estimated that he threw only three changeups in 2019, an All-Star season in which he posted a 2.87 ERA.In 2 1/3 innings on this afternoon, the Cincinnati starter allowed five hits and three earned runs while striking out three and walking one.Several swings and misses were produced from another work in progress: throwing high strikes to get batters to chase."It has never been a super strength of mine to throw the ball up here,'' Gray said, holding his hand shoulder high. "So I've been trying to do that and see how it... [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]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Anthony Rendon had to laugh at the notion that he picked up right where he left off in helping the Washington Nationals win the World Series last year. Still, it was nice to leave his first game in a new uniform with a 1.000 batting average.Rendon went 2 for 2 in his spring training debut with the Los Angeles Angels, driving in a run and scoring one Tuesday night during a 7-3 win over Cincinnati.Back from spending time with his wife and newborn child, the All-Star third baseman played three innings in the field.“It’s inevitable. You’ve got to get out there every day to get comfortable,” Rendon said. “So Day One, you take in stride and take it slow, too. Not try to get too crazy.”Rendon, who signed a $245 million, seven-year contract as a free agent last December, was just one of the big-name Angels players to play for the first time this spring. He batted third, between AL MVP Mike Trout and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star from Japan who also pitches.Outfielder... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Shogo Akiyama gave Cincinnati Reds fans a small taste of what he can provide at the top of the batting order and in the outfield Sunday in his first spring training game with the team.Akiyama, hitting leadoff and playing center field, lined the second pitch he saw from Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease into right field for a single. In the top of the third inning, he made a running catch going to his left on a sinking line drive from Nicky Delmonico.The five-time Pacific League All-Star is the first player from Japan to sign a major league contract with the Reds. At least a dozen Japanese media members tracked his every move before and after his day at Goodyear Ballpark in the Reds’ spring training opener.The perception of Akiyama in Japan is that he isn’t on the same level as Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani or former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, both of whom took the majors by storm when they arrived in the U.S. But Akiyama holds... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Joey Votto has no desire to rehash what he considers his worst season, which was also the sixth year in a row the Cincinnati Reds missed the playoffs with a losing record. As for the moves the Reds made during the offseason, those energized the former NL MVP now going into his 14th season with the team.“I was shocked for sure, and it seemed like it was one after the other. I was pleasantly surprised," Votto said. “Like anybody who has watched this team over the last little bit, I think we’re excited about being competitive throughout the entire year."Votto was getting messages from friends this winter on what the Reds were doing while he took a self-imposed break from baseball activities — “I needed to just get away from baseball stuff for a while,” said the first baseman, who was still doing conditioning and other such training. His .261 batting average last year was his lowest in a full season, and he had only 15 homers and 47 RBIs in 142 games. Meanwhile, the Reds... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz (AP) — Luis Castillo accomplished two of his goals last year: He was the Reds' opening day starter and made the All-Star team. He's aiming higher in 2020.With an upgraded offense behind him, Cincinnati's best starter thinks he's capable of winning the Cy Young Award.“I try to set goals every year,” Castillo said. “Even though I got those two goals, I want to get three goals. I want to get three goals and add the Cy Young and make the playoff." “I think with this team filled with veterans, it is something we can do together," he said.Castillo, 27, had a breakout season in every way last year. He was 11-4 with a 2.63 ERA in early August before fading down the stretch of his most challenging season. He finished 15-8 with a 3.40 and 226 strikeouts in 190 2/3 innings.The first-time All-Star had career highs in wins, innings and strikeouts, relying on a changeup that former Cubs manager Joe Maddon likened to a “Bugs Bunny change-up” because of the way it complements his fastball.“He... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Reds went in a slightly different direction when they signed left-hander Wade Miley in the offseason, departing from their preference for developing or trading to acquire starting pitching.Instead, they chose to spend a considerable amount of money on a free agent.Miley got a $15 million, two-year deal from the Reds, who lacked a left-hander in the rotation. Miley, 33, will get $6 million this year and $8 million in 2021. There's a $10 million club option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout.Miley can earn? ?an additional $500,000? ?annually in performance bonuses based on innings:? ?$50,000? ?each for? ?140,? ?150,? ?160? ?and? ?170,? ?and? ?$100,000? ?apiece for? ?180,? ?190? ?and? ?200.Alex Wood was the only left-handed starter last season, and injuries limited him to seven starts. He left Cincinnati as a free agent after the season.Getting a left-hander for an already solid rotation was a priority this offseason.“We face lineups that left-handers can be more... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Shogo Akiyama got into the batter's box and took his first swing with the Cincinnati Reds at spring training. He barely made contact.“I was very embarrassed,” Akiyama said through translator Luke Shinoda. “I'm looking forward to tomorrow now."He'll get plenty more chances.Cincinnati signed Akiyama to a $21 million, three-year deal as part of its expensive offseason makeover. 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 the Reds' unsettled outfield. Manager David Bell envisions him playing often and hitting near the top of the order.Cincinnati has lacked a dependable leadoff hitter. Akiyama is known for making contact and getting on base. He had 56 triples and 251 doubles with the Lions.Cincinnati had been the only team in the majors that had not signed a player from Japan. Akiyama feels a responsibility to do well... [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) — The Reds completed a one-year, $1,825,000 deal with right-hander Pedro Strop on Wednesday, their first move to upgrade the bullpen in an offseason focused on offense.Strop, 34, can earn an additional $1,675,000 in performance bonuses that could raise his pay to $3.5 million.He was part of the Cubs' bullpen the last six years. A hamstring injury limited him to 50 appearances last season, when he went 2-5 with a 4.97 ERA, 10 saves and six blown saves.Strop had a rough middle of the season after returning from the injury. He went 1-1 with four blown saves in July and 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and one save in August. He finished strong, putting up a 2.00 ERA in 11 appearances in September.He can earn $475,000 in for games pitched: $25,000 for 45, $50,000 each for 50, 55 and 60, and $100,000 apiece for 65, 70 and 75. Strop also can earn $1.2 million for games finished: $25,000 for 20, $75,000 for 30, $100,000 for 40, and $250,000 each for 45, 50, 55 and 60.Cincinnati has committed... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds completed a one-year, $1,825,000 deal with right-hander Pedro Strop on Wednesday, their first move to upgrade the bullpen in an offseason focused on offense.Strop, 34, was part of the Cubs' bullpen the last six years. A hamstring injury limited him to 50 appearances last season, when he went 2-5 with a 4.97 ERA, 10 saves and six blown saves.Strop had a rough middle of the season after returning from the injury. He went 1-1 with four blown saves in July and 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and one save in August. He finished strong, putting up a 2.00 ERA in 11 appearances in September.Cincinnati has committed more than $165 million on acquiring players this offseason, including the two biggest free agent contracts 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. Outfielder Shogo Akiyama, an All-Star in his native Japan, got a $21 million, three-year... [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]