Cincinnati Reds

Reds to hold moment of silence in honor of victims of Cincinnati shooting

by David Jablonski

The Cincinnati Reds released a statement in response to the shooting that left four dead, including the gunman, and multiple people injured in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday. The Reds play the San Diego Padres at 6:40 p.m. Thursday at Great American Ball Park. “The thoughts and prayers of our entire organization go out to the victims of today’s tragedy, as well as their families...

Votto makes trade with Reds fan in Pittsburgh

by David Jablonski

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has made a name for himself over the years not only with his bat but with his unique way of interacting with fans. On Monday in Pittsburgh, during a game the Reds lost 5-1 to the Pirates, Votto saw a fan in the stands near the Reds dugout with a shirt reading, “Votto for President.” According to the Reds, Votto liked it so much, he traded the...

Report: Brandon Phillips heading to big leagues for first time this season

by David Jablonski

Former Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips will return to the big leagues for the first time since 2017 when the Boston Red Sox promote him from Triple-A on Tuesday, according to multiple reports Monday. Phillips hit .304 in 44 games in the Red Sox minor league organization. In 38 games with Triple-A Pawtucket, he hit .302 with four home runs and 19 RBIs. Phillips will join a team with...

Cincinnati Reds: Votto off DL, back in lineup

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

Nobody was happier than Joey Votto to be back in the Reds lineup on Thursday for the first time since Aug. 15. The Reds activated the All-Star first baseman from the 10-day disabled list for his first game since August 15. Votto had been sidelined with a right lower leg contusion, the result of being hit by a Ryan Madson pitch on Aug. 4 in Washington. He tried to play through the pain before it started...

Middletown’s Schwarber goes deep as Cubs win third straight over Reds

by Associated Press, Staff Writer

Daniel Murphy and Middletown’s Kyle Schwarber each hit a two-run homer, Javier Baez added a solo shot and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-6 on Saturday for their fourth straight win. Murphy homered for a second straight day and is batting .407 (48 for 118) with nine homers in 31 career regular-season games at Wrigley Field — all but three of them before he joined the Cubs...

Cincinnati Reds: What are the team’s plans for Matt Harvey and Billy Hamilton?

by Marcus Hartman

UPDATE: The Cincinnati Reds apparently plan to pass on any further chances to trade Matt Harvey or Billy Hamilton before the end of the season. After reports both players were claimed on waivers this week caused a ripple in the news cycle, a team representative announced both are expected to remain members of the club for the rest of this year. Ramsey is the Reds director of communications...

Reds to ‘host’ Cardinals in Mexico in 2019

by John Boyle, Staff Writer

The Cincinnati Reds are headed to Mexico in 2019. The Reds will host the St. Louis Cardinals in a two-game series (April 13-14) in Estadio de Beisbol in Monterrey, Mexico. The 2019 schedule was released today. The Reds open the season at home on Thursday, March 28, at 4:10 p.m. vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Schebler could rejoin Reds this week in Chicago

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

The Scott Schebler shoulder saga added a chapter on Sunday, but “The End” could be just days away. The Reds sent the outfielder to Double-A Pensacola for a medical rehab assignment they hope he can complete in time to meet them on Thursday in Chicago. Schebler has been sidelined since spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder when he ran into the right field wall at Busch Stadium in...

Cincinnati Reds: Hamilton returns to leadoff spot after 82-game hiatus

Friday felt like Christmas in August for Billy Hamilton. The Cincinnati center fielder received a surprise gift from interim manager Jim Riggleman when he saw his name in the leadoff slot for the first time since April 26 against Atlanta, snapping a streak of 82 consecutive starts in the ninth slot – below the pitcher. Hamilton celebrated by leading off the first inning with a single to right...

Cincinnati Reds place Joey Votto on disabled list

by Marcus Hartman

A hobbled Joey Votto is finally getting a break. The Cincinnati Reds place their star first baseman on the 10-day disabled list Friday, 13 days after he was hit by pitch from Ryan Madson of the Nationals. The team says Votto has a contusion on his lower right leg. He started only six of the team’s last 10 games. Taking Votto’s place on the roster is Aristides Aquino...

Reds top pick comes through for Dragons

by Jeff Gilbert, Contributing Writer

Jonathan India has been in a slump, and Thursday was his night to sign autographs for Dayton Dragons fans after the game. No worries about the timing. He gave the fans and himself something to talk and smile about while signing his name. His double in the sixth inning drove in the tying run and he later scored the winning run in a 5-4 victory over Lake County. “I’m struggling right now...

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Utilityman turned pitcher best candidate to be Reds’ emergency catcher

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

Interim Reds manager Jim Riggleman isn’t the only member of the Reds who believes Brandon Dixon is the best candidate to be the team’s emergency catcher. “I think Dixon would be next in line,” relief pitcher Jared Hughes. »MCCOY: Free falling Reds put ‘interim’ manager in tough spot Dixon, the rookie already listed on the game lineup sheets as an infielder-outfielder...

Reds notes: Barnhart comes through in unusual role

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

Tucker Barnhart’s 2018 pinch-hitter record is spotty, at best, but he came up big on Saturday night. Barnhart, normally the Reds starting catcher, was 1-for-9 with one run batted in when he hit for pitcher Amir Garrett with runners on first and second and two outs with the Reds trailing Arizona, 3-2, in the eighth inning. The switch-hitter, batting left-handed right-hander Archie Bradley, battled...

Herrera on outfield start: ‘I want to make a catch like Billy Hamilton’

Dilson Herrera’s goal for the first start of his professional career in the outfield was lofty. “I want to make a catch like Billy Hamilton,” he said before Saturday’s game, referring to Cincinnati’s Gold Glove-caliber center fielder, who makes highlight plays look routine. Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman thought that was a reach. “Let’s hope he lets Billy...

Check out Reds’ players nicknames for Players’ Weekend 2018

by Marcus Hartman

Remember last season when the players wore nicknames on the backs of their jerseys? That was fun, right? Well, get ready for round two. Major League Baseball announced Thursday afternoon the second Players’ Weekend will be Aug. 24-26. Here’s a look at the nicknames Reds players will use: Homer Bailey: "HOMER" Tucker Barnhart: "BARNEY" Alex...

Billy Hamilton reaches Cincinnati Reds milestone

by Marcus Hartman

Billy Hamilton tied a Cincinnati Reds icon Wednesday afternoon in New York. The speedy centerfielder tied Eric Davis for fifth in franchise history with his 270th career steal. Hamilton will take over sole possession of fifth place with his next steal, but it’s a long way to No. 4. That spot belongs to Bob Bescher, a Wittenberg graduate who stole 320 bags for the Reds from...

Cincinnati Reds: 1st round pick set to make return

by Marcus Hartman

Robert Stephenson is returning to the big leagues. The Cincinnati Reds announced Tuesday that Stephenson, their first-round draft pick in 2011, will start Wednesday afternoon against the Mets in New York. Stephenson, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander from Martinez, Calif., has been on a roll for Triple-A Louisville since June 25. He is 6-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last seven starts...

Reds No. 1 draft pick and Dragons pitcher Hunter Greene out for season

by Marc Pendleton, Staff Writer

Hunter Greene, the Cincinnati Reds’ fire-balling No. 1 draft choice in 2017, has been shut down for the remainder of the Dayton Dragons season with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The Reds announced the surprise decision by Twitter late Friday afternoon. “Right now, it’s rehab and non-surgical at this point,” said Reds General Manager Nick Krall on...

Cincinnati Reds bolster bullpen, send out starter

by Marcus Hartman

The Cincinnati Reds called up right-handed reliever Jesus Reyes on Friday. The former Dayton Dragon replaces starter Tyler Mahle, who was sent to Triple-A Louisville. The move is likely a result of two things: The bullpen being gassed and the need to get back to using a five-man rotation. Reds relievers logged 6.1 innings in a 10-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday night...

No deal: Matt Harvey still a Cincinnati Red after trade deadline

by Marcus Hartman

Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline came and went at 4 p.m. with Matt Harvey still a member of the Cincinnati Reds. The right-handed pitcher was widely seen as the team’s most-tradeable chip as July wound down, but the team apparently was not able to find a deal to its liking. He could still be traded in August but would have to clear waivers. The team was...

Cincinnati Reds: Evaluating the Adam Duvall trade

by Marcus Hartman

Of course the first thing I did when I saw the Cincinnati Reds had made a trade with the Braves was look up where the players they acquired rank on Atlanta’s prospect lists for 2018. None were to be found there, but there is good reason for that. They’ve all had more than a cup of coffee in the majors already so they are no longer eligible. These guys might not...

Reds trade Duvall to Braves for three players

by David Jablonski

The Cincinnati Reds traded outfielder Adam Duvall to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night in exchange for right-handed pitchers Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker. The deal came one day before the non-waiver trade deadline at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Matt Harvey is another name to watch as the deadline nears, though Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams said the team is trying...

Reds’ top pick from last month’s baseball draft joins Dragons

by Mike Hartsock, WHIO TV

Jonathan India is making quick work of the Reds minor league system in his first month as a pro. He’ll be in the starting lineup for the Dragons at Fifth Third Field on Monday night, his third team since signing a contract. Cincinnati’s top pick in last month’s draft, India started his career with the Reds rookie league team in Greeneville, Tennessee. After 14 games he moved to Billings...

Reds’ first-round pick promoted to Dayton

by David Jablonski

The Cincinnati Reds promoted 2018 first-round pick Jonathan India from the Billings Mustangs to the Single-A Dayton Dragons on Monday. India will become the 17th first-round pick to play for the Dragons. He was the fifth overall pick in the first round in June. After signing with the Reds in June, India started his season with the Greeneville Reds, a rookie-level team in the Appalachian League. He...

Reds’ rally hasn’t gone unnoticed by opposing managers

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

That sweep by Pittsburgh doesn’t look so bad now, does it? The Cincinnati Reds stumbled out of the gate for the proverbial “second half” of the 2018 baseball season, being outscored by a combined 27-5 while dropping three straight at home to a Pirates team on the way to matching its longest winning streak since 1965. “It’s disappointing,” interim manager Jim Riggleman...

Phillies manager calls Reds a ‘good, young, hungry baseball team’

by David Jablonski

The Cincinnati Reds still find themselves in last place, where they have been stuck for more than a year. They’re not even close to escaping the basement in the National League Central Division, trailing the fourth-place St. Louis Cardinals by six games. However, the Reds keep performing as if they’re much better than their 48-58 record. With a 4-0 victory Sunday against the Philadelphia...

Votto leads Reds to second straight win over Phillies

by Associated Press, Staff Writer

Joey Votto drove in the go-ahead run with a sharp single that glanced off second baseman Cesar Hernandez’s glove, helping the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. Votto drove in two runs and four players each knocked in one for the Reds, who are last in the NL Central but beat the East Division-leading Phillies for the second straight day. Billy...

Phillies crack seven home runs, rout Reds

by Associated Press, Staff Writer

Rhys Hoskins, Maikel Franco and Nick Williams each hit two of Philadelphia’s record-tying seven home runs, and the Phillies overpowered the Cincinnati Reds 9-4 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series. Carlos Santana added a two-run homer as the NL East leaders tied the franchise record for home runs in a game, set on Sept. 8, 1998, against the Mets. »MCCOY: Winker out for...

Dragons’ Greene brings the heat, sets Fifth Third Field record for fastest pitch

by Jeff Gilbert, Contributing Writer

Hunter Greene struck out four in two innings Thursday night and threw a stadium-record 102 mph fastball at Fifth Third Field. Then he left the game for no apparent reason. Was he hurt? Was he on a strict pitch limit? None of the above. Greene’s family is visiting from California so they enjoyed a big meal Wednesday night Greene figures he just ate a little too much. “I had wings last night...

Reds’ Winker out for season with shoulder injury

by David Jablonski

The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Jesse Winker, a Rookie of the Year candidate who has been one of the team’s hottest hitters in July, on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder subluxation Thursday. The news is even worse than that. He will need surgery and is done for the season. Winker injured his shoulder Monday but said he has had problems with the shoulder for a while....

Reds overcome ‘fluky stuff,’ beat Cardinals

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

One error. One collision. One near collision. One missing cutoff man, leading to one overthrow. One botched rundown play. Two runners erased on the bases. No, the Reds didn’t exactly play one of interim manager Jim Riggleman’s coveted “clean” games on Wednesday, but they produced more than enough offense to make up for their defensive and baserunning gaffes. Eugenio Suarez...

Schebler heads to minors for injury rehab instead of rejoining Reds

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

Hopes that outfielder Scott Schebler would be ready to play when he was eligible to return from the disabled list on Wednesday turned out to be more like a dream – or nightmare. Instead of activating Schebler, sidelined since July 15 with a strained AC joint in his right shoulder, the Reds sent him to Triple-A Louisville on a medical rehabilitation assignment. »RELATED: Votto’s retirement...

Joey Votto ‘serious’ about retirement plan: Driving a school bus

by David Jablonski

Joey Votto has an interesting plan for his post-baseball life. He’s not moving to a retirement community in Florida to play golf and shuffleboard. He doesn’t plan to get into coaching. It’s safe to say the Cincinnati Reds first baseman, who former teammate Adam Dunn called a “different bird” last week, will approach retirement different than most baseball players...

Votto praises perfection of Ted Williams in PBS documentary

by David Jablonski

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, one of the greatest hitters of his generation, heaped praise on one of the greatest hitters of all time in a new PBS documentary. “Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived,” premiered Monday. Votto has a starring role as the only active player interviewed for the documentary about the last man to hit .400. Williams hit .406 in 1941. In...

Cardinals fans upset after fire alarm disrupts no-hit bid

by David Jablonski

St. Louis Cardinals fans threw a fit Tuesday on Twitter when a fire alarm at Great American Ball Park interrupted Austin Gomber’s no-hit bid at Great American Ball Park. For the second night in a row, a Cardinals pitcher held the Reds hitless through six innings. Daniel Poncedeleon threw seven scoreless innings Monday before Phillip Ervin broke up the no-hitter in the eighth in a game the Reds...

Cardinals deliver 11th-inning home run to beat Reds

by Associated Press, Staff Writer

Left-hander Austin Gomber took a no-hitter in the seventh inning and Dexter Fowler hit a two-run shot in the 11th on Tuesday night, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Mired in a season-long slump, Fowler connected off left-hander Amir Garrett (0-2) for only his second homer while batting right-handed. Sam Tuivailala (3-3) escaped a two-on threat in the 10th...

Matt Harvey on struggles vs. Pirates: ‘That’s baseball’

by David Jablonski, Staff Writer

Baseball players love to explain bad days by saying, “That’s baseball.” It’s a phrase as old as the game itself, and it’s one Cincinnati Reds pitcher Matt Harvey used Sunday after a 9-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Harvey (5-6, 5.21) surrendered a career-high four home runs and delivered his worst performance in 13 starts with...

Pirates sweep Reds

by David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Pirates sweep Reds

Pirates complete sweep of Reds with another rout

by David Jablonski

Trucks from WWE Smackdown lined the streets outside Great American Ball Park on Sunday. The wrestlers will put on a show Monday night at U.S. Bank Arena. A smackdown of a different sort took place all weekend on the diamond. A Cincinnati Reds team with hopes of escaping last place and overtaking the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central Division were instead dominated in every phase of...

Harvey delivers worst performance since joining Reds rotation

by David Jablonski

In his second-to-last start before the trade deadline, Matt Harvey delivered his worst performance since joining the Cincinnati Reds. Harvey allowed eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park as the Reds tried to avoid a three-game sweep. He left the game after facing three batters in the fourth. Six runs scored against Harvey on four home...

McCoy: Bailey’s return crowds Reds’ rotation -- for now

by Hal McCoy

A long, lanky Texan wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots walked into the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse Sunday morning, a long suit bag draped over his right shoulder. “Hey, H.B., did I leave you enough parking space?” Scooter Gennett yelled as Homer Bailey settled into his dressing cubicle. Bailey drives a large pick-up truck, Texas-style, and Gennett feared he didn’t leave Bailey enough...

Riggleman confirms Reds will use six-man starting rotation

by David Jablonski

The Cincinnati Reds will use a six-man starting pitching rotation at least until the trade deadline July 31, though interim manager Jim Riggleman hopes the Reds hang onto Matt Harvey, the player most likely to be dealt. “I’ve got no indication that he’s going to be traded,” Riggleman said Sunday. Harvey (5-5, 4.63 ERA) makes his 13th start with the Reds on Sunday, facing the...

Reds lose rookie infielder Blandino for rest of the season

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

There was nothing underhanded about Max Moroff’s slide, but that didn’t make it hurt any less for – or soften the disappointment of – Alex Blandino. The Cincinnati rookie infielder will miss the rest of this season after the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee was torn in a collision with Moroff while Blandino was turning a double play in the ninth inning of the Reds...

Amazing stat explains just how good this Reds player is at the plate

by David Jablonski

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto pointed to his ability to hit the ball hard and where he wants to on a consistent basis as his greatest strength last week. “If I want to hit fly balls all the time, I can,” Votto said. “If I want to hit line drives all the time, I can.” The numbers prove that. According to FanGraphs.com, Votto has popped out on the infield only 16 times...

5 questions for the Reds to answer in the second half of the season

by Marcus Hartman

The second half of the Major League Baseball season begins for the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. They finished the first half on a hot streak, but they are still in last place in the National League Central. A postseason appearance may be out of the question, but there are a lot of things the club can accomplish between now and October. Here are some thing to keep an eye on. ...

Former Reds All-Star joins coaching staff at Indiana

by David Jablonski

Scott Rolen, a key player for the last two Cincinnati Reds teams to win division titles, has joined the staff of former Wright State baseball coach Jeff Mercer at Indiana as director of player development. "I couldn't be more excited to add Scott Rolen to our staff," said Mercer in a press release. "The impact Scott will have on the student athletes in our baseball program will be unique...

Hartman: How the Cincinnati Reds should approach the rest of 2018 (and beyond)

by Marcus Hartman

What will the Reds do in the second half? This is a two-pronged question. What will they do on the field, and what will they do off it? If I knew the answer to the first one, I would probably be making some phone calls to Las Vegas. As for the second, they have three options: Sell everything they can in hopes of being great in three years (but remain in last place until then). Selectively...

Hal McCoy: Let’s just put it bluntly, Eugenio Suarez is an absolute offensive machine

by Hal McCoy

As Anthony DeSclafani stood in front of his locker Friday night after his short work night against the Philadelphia Phillies of 4 1/3 innings, he was asked about Eugenio Suarez’ home run streak. “Man, it is like he is playing a video game,” he said. And then, Saturday afternoon before the game, there was Suarez splayed across a black leather recliner in the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse...

Hartman: Since a woeful start to the season, the Reds are dramatic, persistent and fun under Riggleman

by Marcus Hartman

These Reds are nothing if not persistent, eh? Well, that and dramatic. Fun, too. So this 2018 Cincinnati squad is persistent, dramatic and fun. What else could you ask for from a sports team? Well, winning while doing all that would be ideal I guess, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. After two disheartening losses in Chicago, the Reds have taken two from...

Riggleman: Reds all-star infield ‘a special group’

by David Jablonski, Staff Writer

Of the three Cincinnati Reds interviewed Sunday about making the National League All-Star team, Eugenio Suarez showed the most emotion. The Pharrell Williams song “Happy” should have been playing in the background at Wrigley Field because “happy” was the word of the day for the 26-year-old Venezuelan third baseman, who was able to put aside a second straight disappointing...

5 things we learned about the Reds in June

by Marcus Hartman

The Reds began June in last place. They ended June in last place, too, but it was a month we might some day look back on and say a corner was turned in the franchise’s rebuilding effort. Let’s take a closer look at what happened during the month… 1. The Reds went 15-11 in June. That’s right, Cincinnati’s baseball team had a winning record over...

Cincinnati Reds: Buy or sell these tradable players?

by Marcus Hartman

June is winding down and the Cincinnati Reds are playing better baseball. Of course that means someone is getting traded sooner or later. Such is the life of a team that can’t quite get out of rebuilding mode no matter how hard it says it is trying. The month of July — leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline July 31 — could see the Reds make some tough...

Bullpen blows lead, Braves drop series to Reds

by David O'Brien, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves are a two-Freeman team and right now both of them are slumping, with one in particular having a big part in Wednesday’s 6-5 loss to the Reds. No one doubts that MVP candidate Freddie Freeman will soon snap out of his funk, but reliever Sam Freeman’s slide has been long enough to raise eyebrows and concerns. Sam Freeman came in with a 5-3 lead to start the seventh inning Wednesday...

Young Reds pitcher Mahle tough on hitters, tougher on himself

by Jay Morrison, Staff Writer

One of the biggest reasons Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle has been doing so well lately might be that he doesn’t think he has been doing all that well. The 23-year-old right-hander offered a harsh assessment of his latest outing, when all he did was hold the Detroit Tigers to two runs through six innings with eight strikeouts to pick up his third win in his last three decisions. &ldquo...

Reds notes: Peralta’s issues are mechanical, not medical; Hamilton hitting; Votto ties Hall of Famer

by Jay Morrison, Staff Writer

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Wandy Peralta had his worst outing in what has been a string of bad ones Tuesday night when he allowed five runs on four hits and a walk without retiring a batter. Peralta has 19.80 ERA in his last 10 appearances and has issued seven walks in his last seven innings, bringing his season total to 25 in 29.1 innings. That surpasses the left-hander’s 2017 total of...

Reds’ Suarez on possibility of reaching All-Star Game: ‘If this is my opportunity, I will take it’

by David Jablonski, Staff Writer

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez looked across the diamond Tuesday and saw familiar colors. The Detroit Tigers, Suarez’s first team, visited Great American Ball Park for the first time since 2015. Three years ago, Suarez was still a prospect in many ways. Although he debuted with the Tigers in 2014 and played 85 games, he began the 2015 season in Triple-A Louisville after the Reds...

WATCH: Reds fan catches foul ball while holding baby

by Marcus Hartman

The Reds lost again to the Rockies last night, but at least one fan got a lifetime memory out of it. Check out this video from the game of a dad grabbing a foul ball with a baby hanging from his chests. Pretty slick, eh? »RELATED: Reds draft area high school graduate

Reds draft area high school graduate in ninth round

by Dave Jablonski, Staff Writer

The Cincinnati Reds made eight more picks on the second day of the Major League Baseball draft Tuesday, adding five pitchers, including Mason High School graduate Andrew McDonald. “We got a lot of pitching today,” said Chris Buckley, the Reds’ vice president of amateur scouting. “Usually as you get a little deeper, a lot more of those guys seem to wind up in the bullpen, but...

Wednesday marks one-year anniversary of Gennett’s memorable night

by Dave Jablonski, Staff Writer

Two boxes of Scooter Gennett bobbleheads sat next to Gennett’s locker in the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse on Tuesday. The Reds will give away the figurines, which show Scooter riding a scooter, to the first 20,000 fans who walk through the gates at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. The Gennett bobblehead day comes at a good time for several reasons. For one, he’s playing like an All-Star...

Reds, Mets swap veterans before second game of series

by Dave Jablonski, Staff Writer

The Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets swapped veteran players Devin Mesoraco and Matt Harvey, both 29 and former all-stars, before the second game of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park. The Reds also acquired an undisclosed amount of cash. Mesoraco has played his entire eight-year career with the Reds but has battled injuries in recent years and was backing up Tucker Barnhart this season...

Reds Notes: Reds make quick use of fresh arm in bullpen

by David Jablonski, Staff Writer

The Cincinnati Reds added a fresh arm to the bullpen Monday, promoting Jackson Stephens from Triple-A Louisville and sending Kevin Shackelford to Louisville. They need to make that move after using six relief pitchers Sunday in an 8-5 loss to the Miami Marlins, and a four-inning start by Homer Bailey on Monday resulted in another long night for the bullpen in a 7-6 loss to the New York Mets at Great...

Hal McCoy: How did the Cincinnati Reds become one of the worst teams in baseball?

by Hal McCoy, Contributing Writer

The downward spiral of the Cincinnati Reds began one day after they lost a 2013 National League wild card game to the Pittsburgh Pirates. They fired Dusty Baker. They fired the manager who had taken them to the postseason in three of the previous four seasons. They fired him after a 90-win season. They fired him with one year left on his contract. Why? Because in each of those three postseasons they...

Angelopoulos twins making their mark on Wright State track

by Alan Hieber, Contributing Writer

At the Miami Duals track meet last month you might have sworn the same runner won the 800 meters and finished fifth in the 400. In actuality these were the respective results of Wright State’s identical twin runners Victoria and Sophia Angelopoulos. When you consider the athletic prowess of their parents, the twins’ success is no surprise. Their mother, Sandra, played volleyball and basketball...

Cincinnati Reds: Why is the offense improving?

by David Jablonski, Staff Writer

For weeks, the Cincinnati Reds talked a good game about breaking out of their offensive slump. It was all they could do until they starting showing progress at the plate. “Yeah, we’ll get it going,” outfielder Scott Schebler said. “Everybody has those deals. We happened to have it early in the season.” “The way to handle it is to get out of it,” interim manager...

Despite rebuild, Reds need to ‘have a sense of urgency to win,’ GM says

by David Jablonski, Staff Writer

Four days after saying the season would turn for the better because it always does, the season did turn for Bryan Price — just not in the way he meant. The Cincinnati Reds fired Price, the 61st manager in franchise history, on Thursday, ending a five-year stretch in which he managed 666 games. His .419 winning percentage and 279-387 record goes down as the worst for any Reds manager who lasted...

Hal McCoy on 2018 season: Can the Cincinnati Reds avoid fourth straight last-place finish?

by Hal McCoy, Contributing Writer

Let’s see if we have this right: The Cincinnati Reds have been rebuilding for two or three years now, trading veterans for prospects/suspects. But last winter they didn’t trade a veteran for any prospects and all they did was add a couple of veteran guys to the world’s worst bullpen, signing Jared Hughes and David Hernandez. Does that mean they are no longer rebuilding? Are they...

HS Results 1/20: Trotwood boys knock off Northmont

The Trotwood boys basketball team routed GWOC foe Northmont, 76-73. Myles Belyeu led all scorers with 30 points in the win. Amari Davis tacked on 16 points and Justin Stephens 13. Jabari Perkins and Jamaal Linson each chipped in 16 points for Northmont in the losing effort. Ryan Foy added on 11. The win moves Trotwood to 7-0 in conference and 10-3 overall. Northmont drops to 1-5 in conference and...

Baseball bans former Braves GM Coppolella for life

by Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Braves general manager John Coppolella has been banned for life by Major League Baseball as part of discipline handed down by the league Tuesday for major infractions committed in the international free-agent market. In addition, special assistant Gordon Blakeley has been suspended for one year. In handing down the punishment, the league announced that Braves will forfeit rights to 13 international...

Dayton native, former Cincinnati Reds player, dies

by Richard Wilson

A Dayton native and former Cincinnati Reds player who also was a member of the 1955 World Series Champion Brooklyn Dodgers has died. Bob “Bush” Borkowski, who resided in old north Dayton, died Nov. 18 at the age of 91. Borkowski, a pitcher turned outfielder, spent most of his six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Chicago Cubs and the Reds. Toward the end of his career in 1955,...

Joey Votto lost the closest MVP race in 38 years, and Reds fans are not amused

by Richard Wilson, Staff Writer

Joey Votto delivered a masterpiece of a season for the last-place Cincinnati Reds this year, but he finished second in the race for Major League Baseball’s National League Most Valuable Player. And Reds nation is not happy. It was the closest MVP race since 1979, as Votto finished only two points behind Florida Marlins’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton in voting by the Baseball Writer’s...

Reds promote two more rookie pitchers

by Gabriel Burns

The Reds have added to their stock of rookie arms in the big leagues. Cincinnati recalled pitcher Keury Mella and selected pitcher Deck McGuire from Class-AA Pensacola on Tuesday. In other moves, the team reactivated outfielder Jesse Winker from the 10-day disabled list and designated pitcher Barrett Astin for assignment. <div></div><br><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"...

Sports Today: Cincinnati Bengals ready to get started for real

by Marcus Hartman

The Cincinnati Bengals made their final cuts, set their practice squad then made a few more moves. They kept seven receivers, and they got a lot younger. The Bengals also got a little smaller on the defensive front, trading high-potential, low-yield Wille Clarke for short-but-productive offseason acquisition Chris Smith. Four of the players drafted in April didn’t make...

All rise: Sonia Sotomayor watches Yankee's game from 'The Judge's Chambers'

by Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor visited New York’s Yankee Stadium to watch her beloved team take on the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, and it only made sense that she found herself right at-home in “The Judge’s Chambers.” Sotomayor, a Bronx-native, took a seat in the rooting section named for rookie Aaron Judge as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-2, The Washington Post...

Check out what Joey Votto did for 6-year-old cancer patient during Reds game

by Marcus Hartman

Joey Votto wrote another chapter in his growing legacy as one of the greats on and off the field Thursday. The Cincinnati slugger hit a home run to right-center field in the seventh inning against the Mets then handed his bat to a youngster in the front row. That fan, 6-year-old Walter Herbert, is a Votto fan who is battling stage four high-risk neuroblastoma. He also gave Walter...

Sports Today: Almost time to see this revamped Ohio State offense

by Marcus Hartman

Ohio State football begins the 2017 season this week, and Indiana presents an appropriate opponent given the biggest story of the offseason: Revamping the Buckeyes offense. This would be true even if Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator weren’t the Hoosiers’ old coach, but of course that adds another interesting layer to the proceedings set for Bloomington on Thursday night...

Sports Today: NFL’s terrible rules screw Bengals again

by Marcus Hartman

The further criminalization of physical contact in the NFL caught up with the Bengals late Sunday night when news broke Vontaze Burfict is facing a five-game suspension. My knee-jerk reaction was five games seems like an awful lot, even for a repeat offender. I thought I should sleep on it, and this morning I still feel that way. But, hey, rules are rules, right? Well...

Sports Today: Welcome back, high school football!

by Marcus Hartman

Writers are told not to use exclamation points often, if at all, but today I’m making an exception because there is nothing like high school football in Ohio. The season is only one day old, and we already have some surprising results. Fairmont ended 13 years of misery by upsetting rival Alter 13-12 last night in the Battle of Kettering. While that is undoubtedly a big...

Reds notes: Votto marks 10 years of service time

by Mark Schmetzer, Contributing Writer

Joey Votto walked into the Reds Great American Ball Park clubhouse before Thursday’s three-game series finale against the Chicago Cubs and Rob Butcher, the club’s vice president of media relations, greeted him with a “Congratulations, Joey.” The Reds’ first baseman responded with a smile, “Now I get my full pension.” Votto officially reached 10 years of major...

Sports Today: How disappointing will the Reds be before 2017 is over?

by Marcus Hartman

The Cincinnati Reds are really working hard to erase all the positives they established in the first half of the season. OK, that’s probably overstating it a bit. Maybe. As things stand, they still have proven they have solid-or-better players at all eight every-day positions with Jesse Winker still a wild card and Nick Senzel on the way. The overburdened bullpen has had some...

Sports Today: The most important development from a Reds series win

by Marcus Hartman

Luis Castillo was lifted after four innings Sunday because of a high early pitch count and took the loss, but he gave up two runs on four hits and two walks in four innings. In the shortest of his 12 starts with the Reds, the rookie showed he can battle. That is a trait that has been sorely lacking from many of the youngsters Cincinnati has taken a look at so far on the mound this season...

Sports Today: Who deserves most at-bats in the Reds OF the rest of 2017?

by Marcus Hartman

Was that a wild time in Chicago for the Reds or what? Too bad the series is over because it’s anyone’s guess what insanity might have happened if there were a rubber match in the Friendly Confines today. What else can you say when a series goes 15-5, 2-1, 7-6 and 13-10? The Reds earned a split in improbable fashion Thursday with Phil Ervin’s 2-run homer proving...

Sports Today: Cincinnati Bengals might have a pair of pass-rushing steals

by Marcus Hartman

The training camp performances of a pair of rookie pass rushers indicate the Cincinnati Bengals knew what they were doing when they waited until the third and fourth rounds to address that area of need in the draft. Jordan Willis is in the spotlight today after Carl Lawson hogged it for much of the early part of camp (not to mention offseason workouts). At 6-foot-2, 261 pounds, Lawson...

Sports Today: Reds show backbone, potential in taut thriller at Wrigley Field

by Marcus Hartman

Unless it costs them a slot in the draft next summer, the Reds' 2-1 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night doesn't mean anything. But it sure was fun. Tight. Tense. Tremendous. Unless you hate pitcher's duels, this one had everything. An exciting young starter (Luis Castillo) making a strong appearance at an iconic ballpark against the defending World Series champions...

Sports Today: It’s a Cincinnati Bengals game day

by Marcus Hartman

Cincinnati Bengals fans, the long wait for preseason game No. 1 ends tonight with Marvin Lewis’ team hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jay Morrison already laid out his six things to watch tonight and hit all the most important aspects of the game I can see, such as they are when the outcome doesn’t matter. I am with Jay in wanting to see how Trey Hopkins performs on the offensive...

Sports Today: Cincinnati Reds call in legends to work with Hunter Greene

by Marcus Hartman

If you’re really into the whole, “Hunter Greene is the next face of baseball,” thing, well, last night was a good night for you. The Reds’ first-round draft pick made his professional debut last night in Billings, Mont., and he stroked a two-run triple for his first hit as a Mustang. Greene is a prospect as a pitcher and a shortstop, but he got his feet wet...

Former MLB star Don Baylor dies at 68

by Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman

Former major-league baseball star Don Baylor died Monday morning after a long struggle with multiple myeloma. He was 68. Baylor died at 4:25 a.m. Monday at St. David’s South Hospital in his native Austin, Texas, his son confirmed to the Austin American-Statesman. Baylor graduated from Austin High School as one of the first African-Americans to attend the school and the very first to play...

Sports Today: Cincinnati Bengals defense showing signs of feistiness

by Marcus Hartman

Friday night, the Cincinnati Bengals defense got rave reviews. The pass rushers and the defensive backs were among the standouts, which of course is a double-edged sword when your own guys are working against each other. We have reason to believe protection could be a problem for the Bengals’ offense this season, but the team’s pass rush was also in need of an upgrade. ...

Sports Today: Bengals offense gets a scare while defense gains versatility

by Marcus Hartman

We got a reminder yesterday about how quickly fortunes can turn in the NFL. One day you’re rookie Joe Mixon making headlines for running past defenders, the next you’re rookie Joe Mixon watching from a cart with a banged up heel. Of course there is good news here on two fronts: It appears he is fine, and Giovani Bernard’s faster-than-expected recovery from ACL surgery...

Sports Today: To live tweet or not to live tweet? That is the question

by Marcus Hartman

Should we put the Twitter machine to bed when we’re in the middle of an interview? Yeah, probably. Not that we will. Or can? These are thoughts I had when I saw Texas coach Tom Herman (a Cincinnati-born former Ohio State assistant) is banning social media posts from reporters while they talk to his guys. I may be in the minority, but I don't hate this at all. I wasn't...

Sports Today: Bengals/Flyers Fight Club Edition

by Marcus Hartman

For the middle of the first week of August, we’ve got all kinds of stuff going on — including knuckleheads for the Bengals and Flyers. But first a reminder: Never do anything wrong in 2017 because there will be video. This applies to you, me and people who play for the Bengals and the University of Dayton basketball team. The moving pictures from the Greene County Jail are...

Sports Today: Joe Mixon turning heads at Bengals training camp

by Marcus Hartman

The star of day four of Cincinnati Bengals training camp was Joe Mixon if social media is any indication. He put on a show at practice, reminding everyone he has a unique blend of size, speed and open-field elusiveness. Mixon moves very fluidly, especially for a 228-pounder. If he can give the Bengals a breakaway runner to go with the vertical receiving threats of A.J. Green and...

Sports Today: Positives abound in Cincinnati Bengals first weekend of training camp

by Marcus Hartman

The Cincinnati Bengals got going over the weekend down on the riverfront and…. so far, so good. On offense, the big story was thought to be Tyler Eifert and John Ross getting clean bills of health. Then everyone saw Giovani Bernard looking like, well, Giovani Bernard despite having ACL surgery less than eight months ago. This is a huge development for a team with...

Reds Hall of Famer Lee May dies at age 74

by Richard Wilson

Cincinnati Reds fans are mourning as Reds Hall-of-Famer Lee May has died. He was 74. The Reds organization issued a statement, extending condolences to the family, friends and former teammates of Lee May, who played for the home team from 1965 to 1971. "We are deeply saddened to lose the Big Bopper,” Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum said in a prepared statement...

Hartsock: DeSclafani sharp in rehab start

by Mike Hartsock, WHIO TV

It’s a long way from low-A to the Major Leagues, but Anthony DeSclafani took a step toward rejoining the Reds rotation with a rehab start for the Dayton Dragons on Saturday night. DeSclafani gave up one hit and struck out six batters in four innings of work against on the road at Fort Wayne TinCaps. The right-hander threw 46 pitches, 33 of them for strikes, and faced 14 hitters. DeSclafani suffered...

Cincinnati Reds college weekend to include Dayton, Xavier, Kentucky and more

by Marcus Hartman

If you have ever wanted a Cincinnati Reds hat with the University of Dayton logo on it, now is your chance to get one. For the second consecutive year, the Reds are holding a college weekend in late summer (Aug. 25-27). For the first time, Dayton is part of the fun. Per the Reds: Dayton joins the University of Cincinnati, Xavier, Thomas More, Kentucky and Northern Kentucky...

Hartsock: Reds prospect closing in on Midwest League record

by Mike Hartsock, WHIO-TV Sports Director

Jose Siri didn’t waste any time extending his hitting streak in Lansing on Wednesday night. The Dragons outfielder slammed the first pitch of the game over the left field wall, pushing the longest streak in baseball this season to 31 games. The blast was Siri’s 17th home run of the season, and the 11th since the streak began on June 22nd. It was also the 10th time in the 31 games that...

Sports Today: It’s beginning to look a lot like football everywhere you go

by Marcus Hartman

Welcome to what counts around here (and this is my column) as the official start of football season: The first day of Big Ten football media days. The Bengals formally start the season tomorrow with a media luncheon (more on them later), and we’ve got our series of the best high school football players from many area schools going strong. Later this week, I’m heading to Canton...