The Cincinnati Reds’ rotation appears to be set, for now.
The departures of Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon in offseason trades and an injury to Homer Bailey created three open spots in the rotation to begin the season. A couple of promising youngsters and a cagey veteran likely will fill that void.
Bailey probably will miss at least two starts to begin the season. Right-hander Mike Leake, who began Cactus League play with nine scoreless innings, will move into Bailey’s spot behind Opening Day starter Johnny Cueto. Veteran Jason Marquis will take the No. 3 spot, and a pair of 20-something right-handers, Anthony DeSclafani and Raisel Iglesias, will anchor the back end.
“We’ve started to make some decisions,” manager Bryan Price said, “so I think we have a pretty good idea of where we’re headed. That being said, we still have 2 1/2 weeks of spring training games to go to make sure we’re healthy, and how we feel now remains the same.”
The rotation will be shuffled again once Bailey returns, and Iglesias likely will be moved to the bullpen or the minors where he can log innings and gain experience. Iglesias, a 25-year old Cuban defector, signed a seven-year, $27 million deal last June.
Iglesias has electric stuff but needs time to harness it. In his first four spring starts, Iglesias allowed four hits and two unearned runs with three walks and six strikeouts.
DeSclafani was acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Latos trade and quickly elevated himself among the Cincinnati organization’s top pitching prospects. In his first three spring starts, DeSclafani gave up three earned runs on four hits over nine innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. His fourth start was postponed by rain.
Left-handers Tony Cingrani and Paul Maholm, who were bidding for starting spots, are both ticketed for the bullpen. Cingrani was not happy about the change. Maholm still must secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.