After facing a cavalcade of Offseason Stars - BRAUN!YOENIS!MANNY!ALBERT! - it's time for a cool-down in Mesa.
This will be the first time Sean Marshall has faced his former team and it's possible we may see one or more of the men for whom he was traded - who were sent under duress to the longest-running rebuilding project in the New World. Before we see The Stack, Bronson Arroyo will do what he do. It's hard to trust the radar gun at any stadium, let alone the home spring training park, but it's reported that Arroyo has been hovering close to 90. He's not going to add anything more than that and morph into a power pitcher, but this is encouraging (if true). It could be an indication that he's gained back the strength he needs generally to be a competent pitcher, beyond just the extra few ticks on the fastball.
With the injuries to Reds' relievers, Josh Judy and Carlos Fisher are in the conversation to make the bullpen out of camp. Fisher would have to be added to the 40-man again - which is a big strike against him - but he's a known quantity. Looking ahead this week, we could see Masset and/or Madson back. Madson seems to be progressing well with this throwing program, though my guess is he's more than a week off.
Following Arroyo: Sean Marshall, Chad Reineke, Josh Judy and Carlos Fisher.
Jeff Samardzija and others will follow Maholm.
Brandon Phillips 4
Zack Cozart 6
Miguel Cairo 3
Todd Frazier 7
Juan Francisco 5
Ryan Ludwick DH
Wilson Valdez 8,
Ryan Hanigan 2
Daryl Jones 8