Spring newsBREAK: Via John Fay, et al, here are today's cuts: SS Kris Negron, 1B Neftali Soto, RP Josh Judy, SS Didi Gregorius, 2B Henry Rodriguez, SP Pedro Villarreal, 1B/OF Donald Lutz, SP Kyle Lotzkar, C Tucker Barnhart, SP Nick Christiani, SP Daniel Corcino, C Brian Esposito, SP/RP Sean Gallagher, RP Donnie Joseph, SP Chad Reineke, SP/RP Brett Tomko.
Josh Judy is the only cut that's somewhat surprising, but this might be a sign that Masset is on schedule. He's due to pitch tomorrow.
Much like the state of Ohio, which is 5-0 in NCAA tournament play entering today, the Reds are risking their perfect 1-0 weekend record against the D-Backs.
The first round of cuts is expected today, though it's likely to be a group of players who didn't stand much chance of making the team. It's no fun making it official, but with how tight the roster was this season, players probably had a better idea where they stood. It's almost certainly not going to be Janish, Zavada or Tanner. Not only are they playing today, they're also at positions (SS/bench and lefty reliever, respectively) which have something of an opening.
They're also ditching the DH, presumably for the rest of spring, so Leake will hit for himself. Leake was .333/.407/.354 in 2010, but only .200/.214/.236 last season. That's probably mostly statistical noise - and Leake falls somewhere in between, a better-hitting pitcher than most - but I wouldn't be surprised if his hitting is closer to 2011 as he gets further away from college and more absorbed into sustaining a full season of major league pitching.
This game is under threat of storm (regular, not sand), so we'll see if they get it all in.
Red Reporter Insider Content (please pay before you read this):
Go Reds!
After Leake: LH Sean Marshall, RH Sam LeCure, LH Clay Zavada and LH Clayton Tanner.