“He had stiffness and recurring soreness after throwing a bullpen on Friday,” Bryan Price said. “We thought we had gotten over the hump but after doing his throwing program the soreness returned. I would think that would compromise his chances of breaking the season with the club.”
DeSclafani first experienced soreness after throwing live batting practice on Feb. 23rd. He is flying back to Cincinnati to have a MRI.
“Let’s find out what we’re dealing with on Disco,” Reds General Manager Dick Williams said. “We’ll have a better idea after the doctors examine him. We’ll have a better idea of whether this is a minor or major setback. The good thing is we have a lot of arms here in camp, a lot of young guys. We intended to give them an opportunity. Sometimes things like this happen and create more opportunity I’m hopeful the situation with Disco is a minor setback.”
DeSclafani led the Reds with 31 starts in his rookie season in 2015. A strained left oblique last season prevented the 26-year old from joining the Reds until June 9 last season. DeSclafani returned to make 20 starts and was 9-5 with a 3.28 ERA when he returned.
With Homer Bailey out until at least June, the Reds could start the season with as many as three rookie starters. Bronson Arroyo could fill the void if he proves he is healthy after missing 2 1/2 years.
Arroyo’s chances to win one of them improved and he pitched two innings against the Brewers in his first Cactus League start. He could join Scott Feldman and Brandon Finnegan in the starting rotation. The Reds have several pitchers in camp that have fewer than two years of Major League experience.
Arroyo was not alone returning from lengthy injuries.
Catcher Devin Mesoraco made his first Cactus League appearance, catching both of Arroyo’s innings.
Arroyo faced seven batters. He gave up a single to Scooter Gennett to start the game, then retired the next six in order, two by strikeout.
‘I had no stress on the elbow or the shoulder,” Arroyo said. “The ball was coming out a lot better than it did last time. I got sore in places I wanted to get sore in. I got to attack some hitters it was fun.”
Mesoraco has been limited to 39 games the last two seasons because of a left hip impingement. Last year Mesoraco needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in May. In July he had surgery on his right hip.
“It felt great. Everything felt like it should,” said Mesoraco, who grounded out in his only at bat. “My heart was beating a little faster than normal just getting out there for the first time in awhile. Healthwise I feel good.”
The Reds have held Mesoraco out of exhibition games to slowly build up his endurance.
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